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Florence Letitia Claiborne
Florence Letitia Claiborne, age 47, of San Antonio,Texas passed away Monday,July 5, 2004 in an auto accident
near Coleman, Texas.
She was born February 1, 1957 in Hilderberg, Germany to Raymond Dekle and Laura (Dial) Dekle Blake.
Florence graduated Tipton High School and was attending San Antonio Community College.
On July 6, 1978 at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma Florence and Rodney Wayne Claiborne were united in marriage.
She had been living in San Antonio, Texas for the last 15 years.
Florence worked at N.E. San Antonio School District as instructor aide for Special Education children. She
enjoyed reading, and spending time with her family and friends. Florence was a member McArthur Park Church
of Christ.
Florence is survived by her husband Rodney Wayne Claiborne of the home in San Antonio, Texas, one
daughter Monica Claiborne of San Antonio, Texas; her mother Laura Blake of Altus, Oklahoma, mother-in-law
Edna Pearl Barefoot of San Angelo, Texas; three brothers Lesley Dekle of Altus, Oklahoma, William Dekle of
Belton, Texas, Wayne Smith of El Reno, Oklahoma, one sister Rhonda Overholser of Calumet, Oklahoma. She
is also survived by one grandson Jacob Alexander Claiborne of San Antonia, Texas, and a host of aunts, uncles,
nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, Raymond Dekle in 1974, grandparents, one son Kevin Lee
Claiborne October 15, 2001.
Funeral services
for Florence Claiborne are scheduled for Friday, July 9, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. in the
Lowell-Tims Funeral Home Chapel with Bill Osborne officiating. Interment will follow at Altus City Cemetery under
the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
Woodrow H. (Woody) Coffey
Woodrow H. (Woody) Coffey, age 68 of Altus, Oklahoma, passed away January 12, 2005.
He was born November 29, 1936 in Hemphill, West Virginia to Howard and Mary Coffey. His childhood years were
spent in West Virginia where his father was a miner, having a grandfather who was a minister, he was influenced to
be baptized as a young boy in West Virginia. Woody graduated from Welch High School in 1955 and chose to
learn carpentry. He joined the United Stated Air Force in 1960, serving as a jet mechanic, until he was honorably
discharged in 1964 at Lubbock, Texas. He returned to Virginia and lived there for several years before moving to
Southwest Oklahoma. He married Shirley Anderson on July 25, 1976 in Vernon, Texas.
Woody retired from Republic Gypsum in Duke, Oklahoma after completing 27 years of services. Being a very
talented and gifted carpenter with the skills to “fix anything”, the vision and common knowledge to complete all
types of construction, he was always busy with a project. He enjoyed helping others, and was known for his
kindnesses, caring and patient personality.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Mary Coffey, grandparents, sister, Claudia Sue Coffey, three
brothers; Carl B. Coffey, Larry D. Coffey and Kenneth B. Coffey and mother-in-law, Juanita Tabb.
Woody is loving survived by his wife, Shirley, of the home, daughter, Wendy Coffey and future son-in-law Terry
Osborn and granddaughter, Destiney Osborn; two sisters, Barbara Belcher of Huntington, West Virginia and
Charlotta Legg of Simeon, Calif, six brothers; Arnold Coffey and wife Joyce Coffey of Bluefield, Virginia, Darrell
Coffey and wife Bucky of Haymarket, Virginia, Jerry Coffey and wife Marie of Fairfax, Virginia and aunt, Pearl
Ritchie of Newcastle, Indiana and several nephews, nieces, cousins and many friends.
He was a loving Husband, Daddy and Papa, who will be dearly missed.
Graveside services are scheduled for 2:00 pm Monday, January 17, 2005 at the Altus City Cemetery, with Dr. Jeff
Moore officiating. Under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
Family will greet guest Sunday, January 16, 2005 from 6:00 to 8:00pm at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
Jerry Ellis Coleman
Jerry Ellis Coleman died on Thursday, September 22, 2005 at Southwestern Medical Center in Lawton. She
was born Geraldine Loy Edwards to Arthur and Wilma Edwards on May 8, 1920 in Martha, Oklahoma. She moved
with her family to Altus in 1930. She attended Washington Grade School and Central Junior High. She graduated
from Altus High School in 1937, where she was a member of the AHS Drum and Bugle Corps. She attended
Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma until she married George H. Elllis in 1941.
While living in Altus prior to 1965, she was a member of the First Baptist Church, Altus Garden Club, Altus Mother’
s Club and Erolethian Club. After 21 years of marriage, George was killed in a plane accident in 1962. In 1965 she
married J.O. Coleman of Lubbock, formerly of Altus. During the next thirty-five years she lived in Lubbock, El Paso,
Bedford, and finally retired to Possum Kingdom Lake in Graham, TX in 1977.
While living in Possum Kingdom she was a member of the Possum Kingdom Baptist Church and the Possum
Kingdom Women’s Club. In 1996 J.O. and Jerry returned to Altus where they lived the remainder of their lives. After
returning to Altus in 1996, she was a member of the First Baptist Church and the Abigail Sunday School Class. She
was a former member of the Ladies Hospital Auxiliary (Pink Ladies) and a college swimming class.
Jerry was preceded in death by her grandparents, Joe and Vina Carter, her parents, Arthur and Wilma Edwards,
one sister Ruth Edwards, one aunt, Inez Windes, and two husbands George H. Ellis and J.O. Coleman.
She is survived by her daughter Nancy Cox and husband Ken, her son George and wife Cheryl, her step-
daughter Barbara Wilson and husband Craig, her step-son Ken and wife Susan; four grandchildren, Jeri Cox, Cody
Ellis, Paige Griffin, Chris Coleman and wife Janet; two great-grandchildren, Lindsey and Ashley Coleman; two
cousins, Patti Windes Bridges of Arizona and Joe Windes of Norman; personal friends Marie Callicott of Possum
Kingdom, Virginia Anderson and Oneta and L.D. Whitlock of Altus, Ellie, her dog and Missy and Lucky her cats; the
Abigail Sunday School Class and many other loving friends.
A Praise Service will be held Monday, September 26, 2005 at 10:00am at the First Baptist Church of Altus with Dr.
Jeff Moore and Rev. David Player officiating; Interment will follow at the Altus City Cemetery, under the direction of
Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church in memory of Jerry Ellis Coleman.
COLLINS
Velma Delilah Collins, age 97, long time resident of Altus died Tuesday, February 3, 2004 at the Jackson County
Memorial Hospital. The funeral service is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Monday at the First Baptist Church officiated
by Rev. Jeff Moore. Graveside services will follow at 4:00 p.m. that same day at the Greenwood Memorial Park in
Fort Worth, Texas with Rev. Ollin Collins officiating.
Velma was born September 8, 1906 at Vernon, Texas. She was the daughter of John Quincy Adams and his wife
Bettie Deshazo Miller Adams. She attended grade school in Abilene and Graham, Texas where she graduated
from High School. She attended Texas State College for Women at Denton, Texas Christian University, and
Texas Wesleyan College in Fort Worth where she studied violin under Dean Carl Venth. She later taught violin at
Weatherford College and also took private students, one of which, Mary Martin, later became a famous actress.
She received her degree in Education from Oklahoma University.
On June 21, 1928 she was married to Orville Grimmett Collins at Fort Worth. While Mr. Collins served in the
United States Air Force during World War II she taught school at Hico, Texas where she lived at that time. At the
end of the war they moved to Fort Worth where she continued teaching.
In 1946 the Collins moved to Altus where they had bought an auto parts store. For several years Mrs. Collins
worked in the store, but she loved teaching and returned to the classroom at Roosevelt School in 1967 and
continued there until her retirement in 1985. She served on various Education Committees and was a member of
the O.E.A. and Classroom Teachers.
She was a Baptist and an active church member. At First Baptist Church of Altus she was a choir member for 20
years and did violin specials. She taught classes in the Children’s Divisions including Fifth grade, 16 Year Olds,
as well as the Mary Bible Study Class for Women as well as a Children’s Class for new members. She served on
various committees, and was Chairman of the Church Memorial Committee.
She was a member and past President of McDowell and Erolethian Clubs as well as the Retired Teachers and
L`Aigulle.
Survivors include: Fritz Groene of California. Una B. Phillips of Fort Worth, TX. Betty Jean Wyman of Carrollton,
TX. Dorothy Jane Schmid of Maryland. Ernest William Babb of Midland, TX and Betty Davenport of Richardson,
TX.
John Edison Cooper
John Edison Cooper, age 77, long time Altus resident, passed away Thursday, June 23, 2005 at Jackson County
Memorial Hospital. Services have been scheduled for 2:00 pm, Wednesday, June 29th at Lowell-Tims Chapel with
Reverend DeWayne Jones officiating. Interment will follow in the Altus City Cemetery under the direction of
Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
John Edison Cooper was born on March 17, 1928 to Sylvester and Rossie Mack Cooper in Madisonville, Texas.
He moved to Tipton, Oklahoma in 1942. In 1951, he married Verline Edwards and then moved to Altus, Oklahoma.
John Cooper was a farmer for many years. After retiring, he became to enjoy fishing, guitar playing, and collecting
antiques.
Survivors include one step-son, Robert Edwards of California; nephews, L.J. and John, both of Altus, James,
Charlie, Roy, Wallace Jr., and Robert Earl of Oklahoma City, and Ben of Lawton; nieces, Ada of Wewoka, Wilma of
New Mexico, Wanda, Geraldean and Elizabeth of Lawton, Ruby, Gertrude, Ora Lee, and Mary of Oklahoma City;
and a host of great-nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Annie Lidy.
He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; one brother; one sister; three nephews; and his grandparents.
Robert Eugene “Gene” Copeland
Robert Eugene “Gene” Copeland was born on March 17, 1926 in Blair, Oklahoma. He went to be with the Lord on
August 27, 2004 after a battle with cancer. Gene will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched and forever
changed. He accomplished much during his lifetime. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and
friend to so many. He was a resident of Altus and Jackson County for over 45 years. Gene was a long time
member of the Emmanuel Baptist Church.
Gene was a 32nd Degree Mason and holds the rank and decoration of Knight Commander Court of Honor. He
was a member of the Altus Masonic Lodge #62 for 42 years and has been a perpetual member since 1986. He
was Mason of the year for 2001; District Deputy Grandmaster of District 32 in 1994 and a life member of Guthrie
Scottish Rite Bodies. Gene was also a member of the Ambassadors Committee of the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma
for 1999 and 2000.
He was a Veteran of World War ll serving in the United States Navy.
Gene was an avid fisherman. He was a member of the Hobart, Lawton, Snyder and Elk City Working Man’s Bass
Masters, Poor Man’s and Red River.
Gene and his brother Glenn owned and operated Copeland Brothers Oil Company and Service Station for over
30 years.
He was preceded in death 22 months ago by his wife, Ruth Copeland; his father and mother, C.C “Coonie” and
Irene Copeland and his son-in-law Kenneth “Skip” Gee.
Gene is survived by his daughter, Glenda Gee, of Edmond, Oklahoma, his son Robert Mark Copeland of Ada,
Oklahoma; grandchildren, Ryan Eugene Gee, Cory Matthew Gee, Robert Kent Copeland, Shilo Coffman and her
husband Tug all of Edmond, Oklahoma, Kenneth Gee and wife Misti Burkhard of Thornton, Colorado, Kimberly
Fallis and husband Greg of Las Vegas, Nevada, a great-grandson, Christian Metheny of Edmond, Oklahoma;
one brother Glenn Copeland and wife Linda of Altus, Oklahoma; nephews, Boone Copeland and wife Kim of
Lawton, Oklahoma, Rocky Copeland of Edmond, Oklahoma, Jerry Schuster and wife Linda of Sherman, Texas,
Jon Schuster and wife Edwina of Strawn, Texas and niece, Kelly Law of Moore, Oklahoma.
Thank you to his special friend, Ellen Hankins for all of her kindness, compassion and support during this difficult
time.
Services will be at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, August 30, 2004 at 10:00 am. Internment will
follow at Restlawn Cemetery with Masonic Grave Side Rites. Funeral services are under the direction of Lowell-
Tims Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Altus Masonic Lodge #62 whose members have been so kind to
Gene and his family.
Visitation with friends will be Sunday, August 29, 2004 from 5:00 to 6:30 pm at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
Annie Mae Blanks Laws McGill Coppock
Annie Mae Blanks Laws McGill Coppock was born to Billy and Lena Blanks on April 14, 1916 in Franklin, Georgia.
She passed from this life on Sunday, May 29, 2005 at Jackson County Memorial Hospital in Altus, Oklahoma,
following a short illness.
Annie spent all of her adult life in LaGrange, Georgia until moving to Altus in 1997.
Annie spent all of her working years employed by the Textile Industry in LaGrange, Georgia. After retirement she
worked as a pink lady volunteer at the West Georgia Medical Center in LaGrange, Georgia for twelve years. She
enjoyed working with her hands and spent many hours making all kinds of hand crafts most of which she gave to
her many friends. She loved her family dearly and was devoted to them. She was a member of the First Baptist
Church in Altus, Oklahoma.
She is survived by her son Bobby L. Laws of Altus, Oklahoma and a granddaughter Lena Scofi who she raised
from a baby. Lena now lives in Altus with her father. She is also survived by her other grandchildren Charles
Rammage, Larry Rammage, Tommy Rammage and Bonnie Middlebrook; two great-grandchildren Dylan and
Raleigh Scofi. She leaves behind one brother Johnnie Blanks of Franklin, Georgia, two sisters Lee Holley of
Atlanta, Georgia and Sallie Traylor of LaGrange, Georgia; her many friends at the Altus Senior Citizens Center
and members of the Altus Chapter No.49 Order of the Eastern Star of which she was a perpetual member.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husbands, Erie Laws, Odom McGill, and Roy Coppock; two brothers
Charlie and Joseph Blanks.
Funeral Services are scheduled for Thursday, June 2, 2005 at 10:00 am at the Altus Masonic Lodge #62 with
Mark Morey officiating. Interment will follow at the Altus City Cemetery under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral
Home.
The family will greet friends Wednesday evening June1, 2005 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Lowell-Tims Funeral
Home.
Vonnie Lee Cotner
Vonnie Lee Cotner, age 77, passed away Sunday, January 16, 2005 at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
She was born to William Henry Robbins and Ethel Helen (Gossett) Robbins on July 30, 1927 in Altus, Oklahoma.
She graduated from Altus High School. She worked at the Jackson County Clerks office as a Clerk for 22 years
until she retired in 1993. Her hobbies were reading, sewing and playing bridge. She was a member of Grace
United Methodist Church.
Vonnie is loving survived by Stephen Cotner and wife Cindy of Norman, Oklahoma, Kathy James and husband
Barry of Altus, Oklahoma and Debbie Perkins of Norman, Oklahoma; one brother Clifford “Dub” Robbins of San
Antonio, Texas, one sister; Lois Youngblood of Palmdale, California; seven grandchildren; April Preston, of Altus,
Oklahoma, Curtis Cotner of Altus, Oklahoma, Michael Payne of Waukita, Oklahoma, Marc D. Young of
Muskogee, Oklahoma, Amber Utterback of Norman, Oklahoma, Shannon Webb of Dallas, Texas and Sheri Webb
of San Diego, California and five great grandchildren.
She is preceded is death by her parents, three brothers and four sisters.
Services will be held Wednesday, January 19, 2005 at 2:00pm at the Lowell-Tims Chapel, with Rev. George
Lupton officiating. Interment will follow at the Altus City Cemetery.
The family will greet friends Tuesday, January 18, 2005 from 6:30-8:00pm at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
Memorial can be made to the American Cancer Society in Memory of Vonnie Lee Cotner.
