Published: April 18, 2007 10:48 am            

Obituaries, April 18

Pelham Lloyd Doss

Another hero and member of the “Greatest Generation” of World War II military veterans passed away April 10, 2007. Services were 10 a.m. April 16 at Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home in Del City. Services were under the direction of Eisenhour Southeast. Doss was born May 9, 1921, to Henry Earl and Viola May Doss in the rural farming community of Cement. He retired from Civil Service at Tinker Air Force Base where he worked as an aircraft mechanic/fuel. He and his family were active members of Sooner Baptist Church since 1961, and he served in as a volunteer laborer, teacher, Deacon, Sunday school superintendent and trustee. In retirement, he remained busy caring for his grandchildren and his sister. During the latter years he found great joy in meeting with friends at “Senior Saints.” He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Hazel Lee (Smith); five brothers, Roland Doss, Donald Doss, Earl Doss, Virgil Forsythe and Owen Forsythe; and four sisters, Lucy (Doss) Smith, Reba (Doss) Knox, Marie (Forsythe) Hall and Wanda (Doss) Kelly. He is survived by four brothers, Larry, Manual, Hershel and Kendal; and a sister, Romaine Fuller; his children, Gary and wife Pauline, Kelly Reeves and husband Andrew, Katie Doss, Priscilla Doss, Noella Coker and husband John, Melissa Matthews and Jay Coker; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces.



Wanda June Gravitt

Wanda June Gravitt, 66, of Midwest City died April 11, 2007, at Midwest Regional Hospital. Services were 10 a.m. April 14 at Barnes & Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed at Prague Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Barnes & Johnson Funeral Home. She was born June 1, 1940, in Paden, where she graduated high school. She became a member of First Baptist Church of Paden as a teen. She lived in Midwest City all of her adult life. She was a social worker for DHS for more than 33 years. There, she was involved with nursing homes and helping to assure proper care. She is survived by three brothers, Perry Gravitt of Little Rock, Ark., Al Gravitt of Duncanville, Texas, and Jim L. Gravitt of Choctaw; and one sister, Mary Bell of Midwest City. She was preceded in death by her parents, Perry and Lecie Gravitt; three brothers, Troy Gravitt, J.E. Gravitt and Raymond Gleason; three sisters, Susie Collins, Mable McLain and Betty Georgelas; and a sister-in-law, Lillis Gravitt. Her nieces and nephews were the delight of her life. Especially dear to her were her great-nephew, Bradley Bennett and his son, Daegan.



Glenn Thomas

Glenn Thomas, 74, passed away April 11, 2007. He is survived by his wife, Susie O. Thomas; two daughters, Judy Williams and Sharon Leidy; two sons, Larry Carver and Thaddie Carver; 16 grandchildren, 34 plus great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Thelma Sue Webb; four nieces and four nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, Samual Carver. He served in the U.S. Air Force and Civil Service in May Port, Fla. He built grandfather clocks and enjoyed gardening. Funeral services were 2 p.m. April 16 at Bill Eisenhour Southeast Chapel. Burial was at Dale Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Bill Eisenhour Southeast.



Harold Victor Stamper

Harold Victor Stamper, 69, of Harrah, passed away April 12, 2007, in Harrah. Services were 10 a.m. April 17 at the Asa Smith Memorial Chapel in Harrah. The Rev. Larry Chapman officiated. Burial followed at Memory Lane Cemetery in Harrah. Services were under the direction of Smith~Parks Funeral Service in Harrah. He was born Aug. 1, 1937, in Helton, N.C., to Victor Paul and Allie Mae (Testerman) Stamper. He attended Roanoke, Va., Business College. He served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam and was a member of the Moose Lodge Post No. 1235 in Midwest City and the American Legion Post No. 0170. He worked as a printer at the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother. He is survived by his wife, Rosalie Stamper of Harrah; two sons, David Stamper of Harrah and Donald Heath of Delaware, Ark.; two daughters, Sharon and husband Jerry Mayhle of Waynesburg, Pa., and Debra Heath of Harrah; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends. A guest book is available at www.smithparks.com. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.



Ruby Evelyn Trissell Bolding

Ruby Evelyn Trissell Bolding, 87, of Midwest City, passed away April 13, 2007, in Tulsa. She was born July 8, 1919, in Willow, to Vern and Agnes Trissell. She grew up in the farming community of Willow and was a graduate of Ocina High School and Southwestern Oklahoma State University. She married Eugene Bolding Dec. 27, 1941, in Kimbell, Neb. They came to Midwest City in 1951 where she became a member at the First Presbyterian Church. She was also a member of PTA, and she volunteered at the Midwest City Hospital and Mobile Meals. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Eugene Bolding; a son, Barry Bruce; and three brothers, Alva Lee, Eugene and Eddie Trissell. She is survived by a daughter, Myra and husband Ray Klotz of Tulsa; two granddaughters; and two grandsons. Services were 1:30 p.m. April 18 at the First Presbyterian Church of Midwest City. Burial followed at Arlington Memory Gardens. Services were under the direction of Barnes and Johnson Funeral Home.



Mary Belle Clark

Mary Belle Clark, 71, of Choctaw, passed away April 13, 2007. Funeral services were 1 p.m. April 18 at Barnes and Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed at Sunny Lane Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Barnes and Johnson Funeral Home. She was born Nov. 3, 1935, in Corinth, Miss., to James and Annie Whitworth. She was a manager of Signature Loan Company for more than 30 years. She enjoyed friends and family, fishing, shopping and attending Choctaw Senior Citizen Center. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her spouse, Maurice Clark. She is survived by a daughter, Jeanne Stephens of Choctaw; two sons, John McClain and wife of Mustang and Anthony McClain and wife of Midwest City; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.



Lynton E. (Gene) Connally

Lynton E. (Gene) Connally passed away April 15, 2007. Services were 10 a.m. April 18, 2007, at First Southern Baptist Church of Del City. Burial was 3 p.m. at Hominy. Services were under the direction of Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the Gideons International of Oklahoma City. He was born Feb. 19, 1922, in Mena, Ark. In 1942, he met and married Jera Balentine of Hominy. They celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary Dec. 23, 2007. Shortly after their marriage, he was called into the Army and served in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters during World War II and, later, in the Korean War. He earned seven battle stars and the Bronze Star for his service. In February 1958, he retired from the Army for medical disability. At the time of his retirement, he was commander of the only unit in the 1st Armored Division capable of firing an atomic weapon. After he retired from the Army, he went to flight training and became a certified commercial flight instructor (airplane and instrument) in single and multi-engine aircraft, and in time, earned the highest rating of Airline Transport Pilot. He served as a flight instructor at Big Spring, Texas, for the U.S. Air Force primary training program from 1965 through 1969. In 1969, he returned to Oklahoma City, earned a broker’s license and worked in real estate until his retirement in 1981. He was a member of the Gideon International Ministry, serving in most camp positions including Camp President for three years. He was a member of First Southern Baptist Church of Del City, where he served as a deacon, senior adult president, usher and department director. He and his wife were supporters of the church missionary projects and participated in mission trips to Brazil, Romania and Australia. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, a sister and two daughters. He is survived by his wife, Jera; two daughters, Valeda and husband Richard Young of Onalaska, Texas, and Doreen and husband Stephen Morris of Boerne, Texas; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.



Loleta Mae Stehr

Loleta Mae Stehr passed away April 13, 2007. Her funeral was conducted by Ford Funeral Service at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Ascension Lutheran Church in Del City. She was born Nov. 24, 1931. Her life was filled with grandchildren, church, music and OU football. She enjoyed being the organist at her church for more than 40 years where she was a founding member. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Jacob; two sons, Gary and Jerry; a daughter, Jaleta and husband Jimmy; two sisters, Connie and Wilda; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a Schnauzer, Fritz. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Kay; and a brother, Dennis.

        

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