Debra Ann “Debi” Edwards
A memorial service for Debra Ann “Debi” Edwards, 54, Sulphur, will be held at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 14 at the Oak Grove Church. Born October 3, 1960 in Sulphur to James and Mary (Castleberry) Maddox, she passed away Saturday, July 11, in Oklahoma City. She grew up in Carrollton, Texas and Sulphur, graduating from Sulphur High School. In 1977, she married Richard Gorrell II. They had one son, Ricky Gorrell, III, who says “His MaMa was a true one, true to the end” Debra attended Aladdin Beauty School, worked for the School for the Deaf, Sulphur Public Schools and studied psychology while working for Southern Oklahoma Mental Health. But her favorite was being a a mom, and in 1993, she gave birth to her baby girl, Donjalec Lelynn Hughes, who she loved and adored. In 2006, Debra dedicated her life to God and carried the message to many lost souls. She was a happy uplifting person who will be missed by all. Heaven is rejoicing in our sadness. The loss is more than words can describe. She is survived by her parents, James and Mary Maddox; one sister, Terri Richardson; two children, Ricky Gorrell and Donjalec Hughes; one grandson, Aleck Gorrell; two nieces, Angel and Makaylah Isbell; one nephew, Timothy Isbell and many friends who loved her dearly. She was preceded in death by her Brother: Donald Maddox and Her grandparents: Oliver & Faye Payne, Virgil & Sis Castleberry.
Lee Cruce Matthews, Jr.
Services for Lee Cruce Matthews, Jr., of Sulphur, will be held Wednesday, July 15 at 10:00 a.m. at the DeArman Funeral Chapel with Rev. Dick Terry officiating. Interment will follow in Oaklawn Cemetery under the direction fo DeArman Funeral Home of Sulphur. Born December 31, 1938 in Wewoka, to Lee Cruce and Grace (Wasson) Matthews, he passed away Saturday, July 11, in Sulphur, at the age of 76 years, six months and 10 days. He married Catherine (Veach) Matthews in Sulphur on December 23, 1959. He had lived in Albuquerque, N. M., California, Duncan, and Ada before moving to Sulphur. Lee had served in the National Guard in California and had worked as a machinist. He was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, Catherine Matthews, Sulphur; one daughter and son-in-law, Michelle and John Hull, Sulphur; one son, Edward Lee Matthews, Sulphur; three granddaughters, LaTisha Knickerbocker and her husband, Shawn, TaLisa Smith and Robin Shalee Smith; one step-granddaughter, Morgan Hull and one sister, LaWasson Pool and her husband, Garland, Burneyville. Pallbearers will be John Hull, Shawn Knickerbocker, Charlie Blanton, Ebbin Smith, Terry Blalock and Danny Clary.
Lowell E. McConnell, Jr.
A memorial service for Lowell E. McConnell, Jr., 60, of Davis, Oklahoma will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, July 18, 2015, at Central Church, 4949 Highway 7 West, Sulphur, OK, with Brother Thomas Thompson officiating. He passed away after a short illness on July 5, 2015, in Dallas, Texas, where he was staying with his daughter. Lowell was born in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, in 1955 to L.E. and Lois McConnell. He grew up in Davis, played football for the “Wolves, ” and graduated from Davis High School in 1973.
Lowell was an especially loving and devoted father, brother, uncle, and “Pa Pa.” He was so proud of his family, especially his daughter, Jessica “Jill”, and his grandchildren, Kennedy, Austin, and Banks. He was a great friend to many, so very sensitive, generous, and always willing to help out, even a complete stranger. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, and gun collector, and he enjoyed gardening, cooking, riding his Harley, and listening to “The Rolling Stones.” He had a passion for animals, nature, and all things Murray County. He loved sports, especially the Davis Wolves, OU Sooners, and Dallas Cowboys football teams. Like his father, Lowell was a hard worker and an expert at all things oil and drilling related. His career in the oilfield spanned over 35 years, taking him all over the country where he met so many new friends. What a blessing, when in 2007, he came back to his hometown to continue working as a Drilling Supervisor during his final years. Lowell is survived by his loving girlfriend, Charlotte Torres of Davis, OK; his daughter, Jessica Jill and her husband Bryan Marcum of Plano, TX; three grandchildren, Banks, Kennedy and Austin Marcum of Plano, TX; his sister, Leatha and her husband Gilbert Jenkins of Davis, OK; and many nieces and nephews, Ann, Joe, Geoff, Jennifer, Josh, Jake, Mikella, Ryan, Jaxon, Avary, Dylan, Quincy, and Pearl.
He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, L. E. and Lois McConnell of Davis, Oklahoma, and his oldest sister, LaFleata Campbell of Mesquite, Texas, and his ever so stinky dog, “Bean.”
Delbert Leroy Goff
Graveside services for Delbert Leroy Goff, 68, Sulphur, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 15 at Oaklawn Cemetery with Rev. Bill Leveridge officiating. Burial will be at Oaklawn Cemetery under the direction of DeArman Funeral Home Born January 14, 1947 in Perkins to Jimmie R. and Jessie (Brewer) Goff, he passed away Sunday, July 12 in Sulphur. He grew up in Guthrie and had worked as mechanic at Southwest Ford. He served in U.S. Army during Viet Nam War. Delbert had lived in Sulphur the past three years.
He is survived by two sisters, Glenda Kay Wever, Sulphur and Georgia Louise Hereden, Bixby.
Harry Wayne Griffin
Harry Wayne Griffin, 55, of Sulphur was born October 20, 1959 in Dallas, Texas to Larry Wayne and Wanda (Hall) Griffin. He passed away Thursday, July 2, in Sulphur.
He had lived in Sulphur the past two years. He attended a college of nursing and was a RN. He was preceded in death by his father. He is survived by one daughter, Natalie Griffin, Pottsboro, Texas; one son, Robert Griffin, Pottsboro, Texas; his mother, Wanda Griffin, Anniston, Ala.; one brother, Frank Griffin of Texas and two sisters, Deirdre Harrington, Jacksonville, Ala. and Brittany Griffin. No services are scheduled at this time. Arrangements are under the direction of DeArman Funeral Home of Sulphur.
Ralph Ray Billy
Ray Billy, a resident of Talihina, was born May 27, 1949 in Talihina, to Philistine and Katherine (Harrison) Billy. He passed away Friday, Aug. 7, 2015 at Sulphur, at the age of 66 years, two months and 10 days. He lived in the Talihina area all of his life. Ralph graduated from Talihina High School and had worked at the Talihina Indian Hospital as a kitchen assistant. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers. He is survived by two sisters, Angelia J. Ward and her husband, James, Sulphur and Phyllis Billy. No services are scheduled. Arrangements are under the direction of DeArman Funeral Home of Sulphur.
Betty Jean Peterman
Services for Betty Jean Peterman, 91, Sulphur, were held 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 11, at Hale’s Memorial Chapel in Davis with Pastor Bryan Hetherington officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Hale’s Funeral Home of Davis. Betty was born April 7, 1924 in Davis to the late Thomas and Theodosha (Cravatt) Kirby. She died Sunday, Aug. 2, in Sulphur. Betty grew up in Davis. After graduating from Davis High School in 1942, she attended the University of Oklahoma. It was while attending OU, Betty met the love of her life, Edwin “Ward” Peterman, who was serving in the United States Air Force. She and Ward were married on December 23, 1944 in Davis, while he was home on leave. Betty and Ward made their home in Germany for several years, prior to his discharge and moving back to Davis. In 1996, after Ward retired, they moved to Sulphur, where she remained until her death. Betty was an avid reader. She enjoyed reading the Bible and cooking. She devoted her time to caring for Ward during his failing health. She was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Sulphur. Survivors include her daughter, Natalie Sue Shillington, Davis; son, Kirby Peterman, Texas; four granddaughters, Lesley Shillington Ley, Rachel and Hannah Shillington and Blake Peterman and greatgrandchildren including Gabriel Shillington and Harper Hargis. Betty was preceded in death by her parents and step-father, J.G. Griffits.
Georgia Ida “Molly’ Pyka
Funeral services for Georgia Ida “Molly” Pyka will be held 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015 at the Hale’s Memorial Chapel in Davis with Pastor Clay Shannon officiating. Interment will follow at the Green Hill Cemetery under the direction of Hale’s Funeral Home of Davis. Molly was born February 15, 1933 in Davis to the late George and Ollie (Lucas) Howard. She died Monday, Aug. 10, 2015, in Sulphur, at the age of 82 years, five months and 25 days. She and Charlie J. Pyka were married on June 9, 1950 in Oklahoma City. He preceded her in death on February 19, 2008. Others preceding her in death include three sisters, Melissa Harrison, Gladys Harrison and Sarah Guiren and two brothers, Tom and Buck Howard. Molly was a lifetime resident of the Davis area. She spent several years working at Sequoyah Carpet Mills and Pick’s Hot Tamales, prior to working 13 years as a nurse’s aide at Arbuckle Memorial Hospital. Molly enjoyed reading, crocheting, gardening and canning vegetables. She was devoted to her family and enjoyed spending time with them every chance she found. She was a faithful member of the Joy Baptist Church, serving 25+ years as a Sunday School Teacher. Survivors include three daughters, Georgia Claxton and husband, Kenny and Teresa Stahlman and husband, Max, all of Davis and Debbie Dudley and husband, Dale, Norman; one son, Chuck Pyka and wife, Theresa, Davis; 11 grandchildren, Kenneth Claxton and wife Gina, Keith Claxton and wife, Brandy, Kory Claxton and wife, Christa, Eric Dudley and wife, Brandi, Tracy Dudley McGee, Kerri Whatley and husband, Daniel, Sara Pyka Neal and husband, Brad, Chris Sexton, Melissa Mensch, Michelle Sexton and Miranda Bowman; 20 great grandchildren and one sister, Pearl Harrison, Davis.
