Published: August 20, 2007 09:37 am            

Obituaries: Aug. 19, 2007

Marquita June Eakins Griffith

Marquita June Eakins Griffith died Aug. 8, 2007 in Midwest City. A memorial service was 2 p.m. Thursday in the Candlewood Chapel at Ford Funeral Service. Chaplain Tina Tanner officiated. She was born May 24, 1935 in Yukon to Lucille Crane and William Harold Eakins. She graduated from Cresent High School in 1954 where she was active in Peppers for four years, basketball four years, FHA two years and Glee Club/Tiger Pen for a year. She also graduated from Draughns School of Business, served 23 years in the Department of Human Services Data Services Division and retired from the State of Oklahoma Feb. 28, 1998. She married Elmer Gene Griffith Nov. 27, 1955. She survived by three children, Diana Lynn Nickerson, Dorena Jean Bradley and Timothy Allen Griffith; two brothers, William Tilley of Oklahoma City and Donald Tilley of Eufaula; a sister, Clydenna Taggert of Hennessey; six grandsons; three granddaughters; and seven great-grandchildren.



Glen D. Moorer

Glen D. Moorer passed away Aug. 11, 2007 at his daughter’s home in Dallas, Texas, surrounded by his daughter and friends. He had been battling cancer. A memorial service was 10 a.m. Thursday at Howard Memorial Baptist Church. Services were under the direction of Ford Funeral Service. Burial was 2 p.m. at his family plot in Konawa. He was born June 14, 1925. He fought many battles in his lifetime, beginning with World War II where he faced battles in Saipan, Tinian, the Philippines and Okinawa. While running reconnaissance for his unit in Okinawa, he was hit by nemortar shrapnel and was awarded the Purple Heart for his efforts. He had nine pieces of shrapnel in his head that could not be removed. He married Carmon E. Carney June 14, 1942, his birthday, and they had two children, Duane “Bunky” and Connie Cay. The couple was married for 61 years, until his wife’s death in 2003. He was employed for 30 years at Tinker Air Force Base where he worked as the Base Traffic Plan Specialist. He collected guns, knives, swords and coins for a hobby. He was a Mason and a member of the VFW, DAV and the Howard Memorial Baptist Church.



William ‘Bill’ A. Coker

William “Bill” A. Coker passed away August 13, 2007. Funeral services were 2 p.m. Thursday at Bill Eisenhour Northeast Funeral Home. Burial followed at Elmwood Cemetery in Choctaw. Services were under the direction of Bill Eisenhour Northeast. She was born April 11, 1929, in Okemah to Sherman Monroe Coker and Vida Rhae Ward. He was preceded in death by his mother and father; two sisters, Joyce and Helen; and a brother, James. He is survived by his wife, Ruby; four daughters, Janice, Shirley, Vida and Billie and their husbands; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a brother, Melvin and wife Sue Jean. He worked as a local driver for W. H. Butcher Packing Company for 34 years before retiring to enjoy traveling, camping and fishing with the love of his life, his wife of 60 years. Known by his grandchildren as “Grandpa Dude,” he was lived his life with simple dignity, honesty and pride.



Edward LeCompte

Edward LeCompte, 81, passed away Aug. 13, 2007. Memorial services were 10 a.m. Friday at Bill Eisenhour Southeast Chapel. Bill Eisenhour South He loved and cherished his family — they were important to him. He was a good, caring person with high morals. He is survived by his wife, Violet LeCompte; three children, Janice Von Holten, Karen Wampler and Scott LeCompte; four stepchildren, Frankie Townsley, Michael Townsley, Audrey Carpenter and Jo Ann Carpenter; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; a brother, Jerry LeCompte; a sister, Delorse Michaels; and numerous nieces and nephews.



Perry Lavern ‘P.L.’ Smith

Perry Lavern “P.L.” Smith, 64, of Oklahoma City passed away Monday, Aug. 13, 2007, at his residence. Funeral services were 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18 at Barnes & Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Burial was at Arlington Memory Gardens. Services were under the direction of Barnes & Johnson Funeral Home. He was born to William Perry and Juanita Marcelene (Grandstaff) Smith Nov. 16, 1942, in Wellston. He was known to all, including his relatives as P.L. He was an avid car collector and mechanic. Mr. Smith also loved music, family and friends and enjoyed helping anyone, anytime. He was preceded in death by his parents; and an older brother, Darrell Leon. He is survived by his spouse, Nancy L.; a younger brother, Bobby Gene; a daughter, Kimberly Kay Watters; and three grandchildren.



Carl Eddie Jennings

Carl Eddie Jennings, 70, of Midwest City passed away Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007. He was born Aug. 17, 1936, to Howard and Lydia (Cunningham) Jennings in Big Cabin. He served his country in the U.S. Air Force from l956–1960 and retired from the Army Reserves in 1996. He worked at the 38th EIG at Tinker Air Force Base and retired with 39 years of service in 1997. He was employed for the Monte-Lee Company as an engineer consultant. Jennings married Dolores (Wampler) July 29, 1961 in Midwest City. He was a member of Sooner Road Baptist Church and was a Mason. He was a working man who enjoyed building things and being with his family. He is survived by his wife, Dolores; a son, Michael Jennings and wife Christa of Oklahoma City; a daughter, Rhonda Motley of Del City; five grandchildren; three brothers, Kenneth and wife Olive, Leo and wife Doris and George and wife Patty. He was preceded in death by his parents. The Jennings family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday at Bill Eisenhour Northeast Funeral Home. Funeral services were 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18 at Sooner Baptist Church. Burial followed at Tuttle Cemetery in Tuttle. Services were under the direction of Bill Eisenhour Northeast.



James E. ‘Ed’ Rayburn

James E. “Ed” Rayburn passed away Aug. 14, 2007. Funeral services were 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007, at Ridgecrest Church of Christ. Burial was at Arlington Memory Gardens. Services were under the direction of Barnes & Johnson Funeral Home. He was born Nov. 22, 1928, to Morris and Vada (McClure) Rayburn in Newark, Ark. He was a retired supervisor for the FAA. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Buck Rayburn; and a sister, Dorothy Prince. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jo Etta Rayburn; a son, Mickey Rayburn and wife Jeannie; a daughter, Jo Ann Rayburn; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a brother, Lee Rayburn.



Emma Beatrice Bryan

Emma Beatrice Bryan, 83, a longtime Midwest City resident, passed away Aug. 16, 2007. She was born in Reydon, Okla., on March 18, 1924, to Robert and Flora (Worlow) Stewart. She married Delbert Bryan on Aug. 17, 1940 in Sayre, Okla. They have three children, Darlene Johnson of Konawa, Dean Bryan of Tecumseh and Jim Bryan of Tecumseh. She attended Sunny Point School, near Sweetwater, Okla., through the eighth grade. She was a homemaker. She enjoyed listening to gospel and country western music, gardening, crocheting and quilting. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Delbert of Avonlea Cottage in Shawnee, three children, a sister, Irene Lister of Oklahoma City, ten grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, two great great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers, a sister and two granddaughters. A service honoring her was held at the New Hope Baptist Church on Saturday under the direction of Caskets, Inc. Burial followed in the New Hope Baptist Cemetery.

        

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