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Bible verse of the day
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
—Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV
Barbara Mackey
Funeral service for Barbara Larue Mackey, 81, of Cameron is 2 p.m. Thursday at Liberty Hill Baptist in Cameron.
Burial will follow at Slaytonville Cemetery, under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau.
She was born Oct. 9, 1942 in Cameron to Mossie (Anderson) Farrar and Leonard Farrar and passed away Feb. 11, 2024 in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Vernon Mackey; daughter, Fatima Stroud; and a sister, Donna Hollingsworth
Survivors include her daughter, Judy Swindell; grandchildren; great grandchildren; and brothers Larry Farrar and Steven Farrar.
Martha Johnson
Martha Nell Johnson was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She left this world peacefully Feb. 9, 2024, at age 84.
A celebration of life is 11 a.m. Friday at Spiro First Baptist Church.
Martha was born Aug. 10, 1939 at her home in Pocola to Arlie and Viola Johnson (yes, Johnson was also her maiden name). Her best girlfriend and partner in crime growing up, her sister Theresa, came along two years later. The two were joined at the hip from then on. They shared all the sisterly ups and downs over the years, but never wavered in their loving bond.
Martha graduated from Spiro High School in 1957, but before she graduated, she met her best friend and the love of her life, L.D. Johnson. On Sept. 7, 1957, they married and spent the next 66 years building a strong and beautiful marriage. To watch Martha and L.D.’s love— to see the tenderness when they held hands or when L.D. helped Martha from the car, to hear Martha yell “D!” when he was being ornery, to watch L.D. dutifully and proudly carry Martha’s purse from slot machine to slot machine at the Choctaw casino—was to witness true love firsthand. Today, we know their love story continues in heaven.
Martha worked in her parents’ purse making business while Carla and Mark were young. She cut out leather purses with them playing at her feet, under her watchful eye. As time went on, her children began bringing home friends, and with L.D. coaching high school sports, she found she enjoyed helping young people in whatever capacity she could. This eventually led her to a career of over 20 years at the Kiamichi Economic Development District of Oklahoma, helping teenagers and young adults find meaningful careers.
To generations of family—and friends that felt like family—Martha and L.D.’s home was always filled with laughter, joy, and love. Ever present were L.D.’s players, Carla and Mark’s (and then the grandkids’) classmates, and a vibrant social life full of beloved friends. Martha always had a hot pot of coffee, a sweet treat, and great conversation at the ready. When no one was looking (and sometimes when they were) you could find Martha and L.D. dancing in the kitchen to a George Strait song.
The pride of Martha’s life was her family. She was a loving mother and an adoring grandmother whose love language was her constant presence and support. If her kids or her grandkids had an event, she was there. Rain or shine, Martha could be found sitting in the first row with a beaming smile spread across her face, cheering herself hoarse, her pride on full display. L.D. coached all across the state for 30 years, and no one in the family can remember Martha missing a single game. She was his biggest fan, and she wouldn’t have missed a moment. Martha had that skill where, even in a crowded room, she could be completely present with you, hold your hand, look you in the eye, and make you feel like the only person in the world. Her single favorite activity was to sit around the table with her whole family and share a meal she had prepared. Those meals were full of stories, laughter, and a little too much fried food. (Now that she’s gone, her family has generously agreed to share her “succotash” recipe in exchange for a good Martha and L.D. story.).
Martha’s life was also marked by her abundant faith. Martha came to faith in Talihina. L.D. was in his first job as a coach, and they would clean the Talihina First Baptist church at night for extra money. In Talihina and far from home, their young family found a loving and welcoming community of faith, and Martha devoted her life to Christ. Martha lived out her faith with devotion and spent a lifetime modeling the definition of Christ-like love and generosity. In her later years, her church home was Spiro First Baptist, and Martha and L.D. loved being a part of the “Prime Timers.” This lively group of church members in the prime of their lives enjoyed potlucks at each other’s homes, Christmas caroling, Branson trips and other activities. These were always special times to Martha. Martha also enjoyed being a member of the church sewing group and especially loved the friendships and fellowship they shared while creating beautiful quilts.
Viewing is from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday.
She is survived by her sister Theresa Votaw and husband Ray; her daughter Carla Kimmel and husband Rod; her son Mark Johnson and wife Rhonda; her grandchildren Christopher Kimmel, Matthew Johnson, Corey Kimmel and Rachel Johnson; her beloved grand-dog Bentley and her first great-grandbaby, Patrick Kimmel.
Margaret Porter
Margaret Jane (Miller) Porter of Heavener was born Dec. 17, 1947 in Wister to Thomas W. and Dorthy Evelyn (Wade) Miller and passed away Feb. 9, 2024 in Fort Smith, Arkansas at the age of 76.
Funeral service was Wednesday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Poteau with President Bob Egbert officiating. Burial followed in the Reichert Cemetery, under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener.
Jane was a longtime resident of the area. She was a florist and cake decorator. Jane loved spending time with family and friends. She will be deeply missed by all whom knew her.
She is survived by her husband, Lonnie Vester Porter, of the home; two sons Lonnie Lee Porter of Heavener and Benjamin James Porter of Heavener; a brother, Tommy Miller; six grandchildren Rebecca Ann Storm, Kayla Rene Hamblin, Christopher Porter, Craig Porter, Lonnie Leroy Porter and Thomas Porter; two great-grandchildren Kiah Porter and Helios Porter; numerous other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents Thomas W. and Dorthy Evelyn Miller; one sister, Leta Kay Way; her grandparents Thomas Edgar Wade and Lona B.(McKenzie) Wade, Clyde and Jewel Miller; and one great-great-granddaughter Nattalee Annette Porter.
Pallbearers werere Benjamin Porter, Gene Archey, Rodney Hamblin, Chris Franklin and Kayla Hamblin.
Harlen Fairless
PANAMA--Graveside service for Harlen W. Fairless, 88, of Panama was Wednesday at the Coalgate Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Grace Funeral Service of Poteau.
Harlen Wayne Fairless was born Nov. 23, 1935 in Wardville to Jerrah Ellen (Meaders) Fairless and Randel Ollie Fairless and passed away Feb. 10, 2024 in Pocola. He married Lila June Lackey May 18, 1955, she preceded him in death on Sept. 4, 2014. He was also preceded in death by his parents and a great grandchild, Fynley June Biernacki. Harlen was a member of the Church of Christ. He worked for the Oklahoma Highway Department. Harlen was a contract gas well pumper and a rancher.
Survivors include his children Kay and Donny Gollihare, Karen and Alex McCollum, Ray and Joy Fairless; grandchildren Brandi and Josh Burris, Jacob and Stacia Biernacki, Eric and Misty Fairless, Chris and Jenny Gollihare, Katie McCollum; great grandchildren; Isaac, Andy, Braxton, Raycee, Corbin, Asa, Kaylyx, Talan, Kylee, Cooper; great great grandchildren; Bradi and Peyton, numerous other relatives and loved ones.
Pallbearers were Jacob Biernacki, Eric Fairless, Isaac Burris, Andy Burris, Braxton Biernacki and Talan Fairless.
Malva Collins
Malva Marie (Walker) Collins-Graham was born Nov. 16, 1944 in Heavener to Malvin Clarence Walker and Ethel Marie (Veazey) Walker. She departed this life Feb. 8, 2024, surrounded by her family in Muskogee, at the age of 79.
Funeral service was Monday at Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home Chapel in Heavener with Reverend Steve Wasson and Reverend Roger Himes officiating. Burial followed in Heavener Memorial Park, under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home in Heavener.
To say that Malva loved puzzles would be an understatement. She almost always had at least 2 puzzles books with her and one of those books was always a Sudoku. She has worked on jigsaw puzzles all her life. She really liked the Thomas Kincade scenery puzzles and puzzles with different shapes. Another kind of puzzle that she enjoyed was the magic eye pictures. She would even buy calendars with a different magic eye picture every month. She tried her hand at tri-chem painting and made several items. As far as crafting goes, she really enjoyed making things with plastic canvas. She made a two-story doll house and all the furniture with yarn and plastic canvas. - She also enjoyed reading about interesting places around Oklahoma like the Totem Pole Park and the Blue Whale of Catoosa.
She leaves behind two daughters Rosella Ollar and husband Mike of the home, Tracie Hughes and husband Shannon Bates of Heavener; three grandsons William Ollar and wife Iva of Muskogee, Bryan Hughes of Heavener and Allen Hughes of Poteau; three granddaughters Cassie Collins of Monroe, Tabitha Hughes of Heavener, and Ashley Wasson and husband Jordan of Muskogee; 11 great grandchildren Damien Collins, Mary Davis, Stella Ollar, Elijah Traywick, Royce Ollar, Blayde Davis, Andy Wasson, Alana Ollar, Mazikeen Henry, Penny Wasson and Kyler Henry; one nephew Tanner Turk and wife Andrea; one brother-in-law, Jim Marsh; and a host of friends in Muskogee and Heavener.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Roy Collins and Jim Graham; grandson, Joshua Ollar; sister, Elsie Marsh; brothers-in-law Chuck Turk and Ronnie Hargrove..
Pallbearers were William Ollar, Jordan Wasson, Bryan Hughes, Allen Hughes, Damien Collins and Tanner Turk. Honorary pallbearers were Elijah Traywick, Royce Ollar, Blayde Davis, Andy Wasson and Kyler Henry.
To sign Malva’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.
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