LCJ newsletter 6-17-2025
Tuesday's newsletter
Daily Bible verse
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Today’s inspirational quote
Commissioner minutes from 6-16-2025
LeFlore County commissioners met for a regular business meeting Monday with Chairman Jamie Oliver presiding. Also present were Vice-Chair Vallard Campbell, Member Josh Blaylock and County Clerk Kelli Ford.
The following action was taken by the board:
(1.) Chairman Jamie Oliver called meeting to order.
(2.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve the minutes of regular meeting held June 9, 2025. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(3.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve purchase orders and payroll as presented. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(4.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve monthly fee reports as presented by LeFlore County Election Board and LeFlore County Court Clerk. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(5.) Transfer of Appropriations: None presented.
(6.) Blanket Purchase Orders: None presented.
(7.) New Business: None discussed.
(8.) Contract Labor/ Service Agreements, Annual Contracts: None presented.
(9.) Burn Ban: Not needed at this time. No discussion.
(10.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve Bid Notice and Resolution advertising to accept sealed bids regarding the purchase of a 2025 F-350 Transport Van to benefit the LeFlore County Detention Center. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(11.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to award bid regarding the purchase of a 2023 or newer 1- Ton Cab and Chassis to Dunn Ford in the amount of $48,857. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(12.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve contract between Eastern Oklahoma Youth Services & LeFlore County for Juvenile Detention Services at Pittsburg County Regional Juvenile Detention Center. As part of the agreement, LeFlore County agrees to pay $38.97 per day, per child, for any juvenile that is referred to detention. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(13.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve Resolution for LeFlore County Investment Policy and Designation of LeFlore County Depository Banks for fiscal year 2025- 2026. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(14.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve 2025 Return of Resale and Minutes as submitted by the LeFlore County Treasurer for Resale held June 9, 2025. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(15.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve appointment of Kassandra Lovell to the Southeast Oklahoma Library System Board of Trustees to serve a first term from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(16.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve Commercial Generator Service Agreement between LeFlore County and Corley Electric, INC. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(17.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve Resolution regarding Election Board reimbursement for precinct poll books and postage for special elections for fiscal year 2025- 2026. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(18.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve Resolution regarding Election Board Reimbursement for overtime compensation and social security overtime hours worked for fiscal year 2025-2026. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(19.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve Resolution to not advertise for fuel bids due to the volatility of fuel prices and continue to take quotes per department as needed from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(20.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve Resolution to renew all LeFlore County Lease Contracts for fiscal year 2025-2026. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(21.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve Resolution approving fiscal year 2025-2026 Requisitioning and Receiving Officers for all County departments including Rural Fire Departments. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(22.) Motion was made by Josh Blaylock and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve request for floodplain services and permit application as submitted by Coxcom, LLC/ Brian Frederick regarding construction within County right of way located at 23249 Kiger Road, LeFlore County. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(23.) Motion was made by Josh Blaylock and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve request for floodplain services and permit application as submitted by Coxcom, LLC/ Brian Frederick regarding construction within County right of way located at 28975 ABM Drive and Coggins Road, LeFlore County. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(24.) Motion was made by Josh Blaylock and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve request for floodplain services and permit application as submitted by Coxcom, LLC/ Brian Frederick regarding construction within County right of way located at 28203 Buckhorn Lane and Angelwood Drive, LeFlore County. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(25.) Motion was made by Josh Blaylock and seconded by Jamie Oliver to approve request for floodplain services and permit application as submitted by Coxcom, LLC/ Brian Frederick regarding construction within County right of way located at 29381 Valley View Lane, LeFlore County. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(26.) Motion was made by Josh Blaylock and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve request for floodplain services and permit application as submitted by Coxcom, LLC/ Brian Frederick regarding construction within County right of way located at Old Highway 112 and Green Top Road, LeFlore County. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(27.) Motion was made by Josh Blaylock and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve request for floodplain services and permit application as submitted by Coxcom, LLC/ Brian Frederick regarding construction within County right of way located at 33679 North Scott Road, LeFlore County. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(28.) Motion was made by Josh Blaylock and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve request for floodplain services and permit application as submitted by Coxcom, LLC/ Brian Frederick regarding construction within County right of way located at 33111 Bradshaw Lane, LeFlore County. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(29.) Motion was made by Josh Blaylock and seconded by Jamie Oliver to approve request for floodplain services and permit application as submitted by Coxcom, LLC/ Brian Frederick regarding construction within County right of way located at 22853 Grandview Drive, LeFlore County. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(30.) Motion was made by Josh Blaylock and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve request for floodplain services and permit application as submitted by Coxcom, LLC/ Brian Frederick regarding construction within County right of way located at 205 Eagle Crest and Eagle Boulevard, LeFlore County. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(31.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve order to set hearing and give notice of hearing on petition for establishment of Rural Water District. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(32.) The Board met with Wanda Ludwig, Commander of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) concerning transfer of responsibility for flags on the LeFlore County Courthouse lawn to LeFlore County. Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve LeFlore County assuming full responsibility for the display and ongoing maintenance of the flags on the Courthouse lawn, with the understanding that the flags will remain up at all times except when maintenance is required. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
News briefs
The International Atomic Energy Agency said Tuesday it believes Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s Natanz enrichment site have had “direct impacts” on the facility’s underground centrifuge halls. See the whole story HERE.
Israel stunned and hobbled Iran last week when it pulled off an intelligence and military operation years in the making that struck high-level targets with precision. See the story HERE.
President Donald Trump in about eight hours went from suggesting a nuclear deal with Iran remained “achievable” to urging Tehran’s 9.5 million residents to flee for their lives as he cut short his visit to an international summit to return to Washington for urgent talks with his national security team. See the story HERE.
Violence and fear swept through towns in an arc around Minneapolis for more than 40 hours over the weekend as a man seemingly intent on sowing political devastation killed one Minnesota state lawmaker and left another bleeding from nine bullet wounds. See the story HERE.
A federal appeals court in San Francisco is scheduled to hear arguments Tuesday on whether the Trump administration should return control of National Guard troops to California after they were deployed following protests in Los Angeles over immigration raids. See the story HERE.
Thunder hold on to win Game Five, 120-109
Jalen Williams scored 40 points and Oklahoma City defeated Indianapolis, 120-109, to take a 3-2 lead in the best of seven series.
The win moves the Thunder one win away from the first NBA championship in Oklahoma City. Game Six is 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Indianapolis.
Oklahoma City teammate and NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 31 points and 10 assists as the Thunder held off a late rally by the Pacers, who had trimmed a first-half deficit of 18 points to two in the fourth quarter, but unlike Game One, this time Oklahoma City held on for the win.
Williams’ biggest basket was a 3 with 8:06 left in the fourth quarter after the Pacers’ Pascal Siakam had just hit a 3 to cut the lead to 95-93. He missed his first attempt, then after given a second chance, buried the three.
Indianapolis star Tyrese Haliburton, did not score in the first quarter and finished with only four points, going 0-6 from the field with just one shot after halftime.
No-hitter keeps Hogs alive in CWS
No-hitter by Gage Wood and near perfect game helped Arkansas kept its postseason hopes alive with a 3-0 win over Murray State at the baseball College World Series on Monday afternoon inside Charles Schwab Field.
Wood threw just the third no-hitter in College World Series history and only the 11th solo no-hitter in Arkansas school history. He joins Jim Ehler of Texas in 1950 and Jim Wixson of Oklahoma State in 1960 as the only pitchers to record no-hitters in the CWS. Wood’s 19 strikeouts broke the school record in his first-ever complete game. His 19 punch outs eclipsed the record held by Hagen Smith (2024) and Jess Todd (2007), who both struck out 17.
Wood set the CWS record for consecutive outs, retiring the first 21 batters he faced on Monday before a 2-2 breaking ball hit the back foot of Dom Decker to open the eighth inning. The perfect game bid was the longest since 1999 in the CWS.
Wood breezed through the Murray State lineup the first time through, striking out five of the nine Racers in their first at-bat. The Batesville, Arkansas native rolled through the third and fourth innings, striking out the side in both before striking out Decker to start the fifth for seven straight punch outs. He then fielded a ground ball to the first base side of the mound and raced to first for the second out before adding his 11th strikeout to end the fifth.
He added a pair of strikeouts in the sixth and one more in the seventh to retire 21 straight to start the game. After hitting Decker to open the eighth inning, Wood quickly got back to work by getting Luke Mistone to foul out to Ryder Helfrick behind the plate then racked up two more strikeouts to extend his no-hit bid to the ninth.
Back out for the ninth inning, Wood was still reaching 97-98 mph with his fastball. Pinch hitter Nico Bermeo looked to have been the second Racer to reach base when he was hit in the elbow by a 2-2 pitch but, after review, the umpires overturned the call and called Bermeo out by rule – in college baseball a pitch is called a strike when a batter is ruled to have intentionally allowed the ball to hit him. With strikeout No. 16 in the books, Wood blew fastballs by fellow Batesville native and Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year Conner Cunningham for the second out. With history hanging in the balance, Wood finished it off in style with his 19th strikeout of the afternoon against the Racers’ best hitter in Jonathan Hogart.
Wood’s 19 strikeouts is one shy of the CWS record 20 set in 1965 by Steve Arlin in Ohio State’s 1-0 win over Washington in 15 innings.
While Wood was dominating on the mound, the Hogs struggled at the plate. A Reese Robinett double led off the top of the third inning before Charles Davalan scratched the first run of the afternoon with a single. That run was more than enough for Wood but his teammates added a pair of insurance runs in the seventh inning.
Leadoff singles from Justin Thomas Jr. and Davalan put runners on the corners for Wehiwa Aloy. The SEC Player of the Year pounded a double inside the third base bag and down the left field line to stretch the lead to two runs. Davalan scored on an error by Murray State’s outfielder to cap the rally and increase the Arkansas lead to three runs.
Thomas led all players with a career-best four hits on the day as Arkansas collected 10 hits on the afternoon. Davalan and Aloy chipped in a pair of hits apiece in the win.
Arkansas advances to Tuesday night when the Hogs will take on UCLA at 6 p.m. in another elimination game.
Sports briefs
The Florida Panthers can win the Stanley Cup for the second year in a row by beating the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of the final on Tuesday night. See the story HERE.
Clouds clearing away, warmer day for Tuesday
Area weather forecast for Tuesday calls for mostly cloudy skies and warmer temperatures during the day with the skies clearing overnight for LeFlore County, southeastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas.
The high is forecast to be 91 degrees with a low of 75.
Sunrise was 6:04 a.m. Sunset is 8:34 p.m.
Monday’s high was 90 with a low of 69. No rain was recorded, leaving the monthly total at 7.34 inches, well above June’s average rainfall of 3.90 inches.
Average temperatures for June 17 are a high of 89 and low of 63. Records for the date were a high of 97 in 1972 and a low of 46 in 1981.
Last year on June 17, the high was 94 with a low of 74.
Area calendar of events
Area calendar of events for the next week in LeFlore County, southeastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas. The calendar is a free service for our readers. If you are with a non-profit and want an event publicized, email news@heavener.news.
Monday
LeFlore County commissioners meet 9 a.m.
Tuesday
Poteau Evening Lions Club meet 6 p.m. CASC
Wednesday
Poteau Rotary Club meets noon EOMC
Heavener Boots and Badges community challenge blood drive
Thursday
Poteau Kiwanis Club meets noon
Heavener City Council and HUA meet 6 p.m.
Heavener VFW bingo 6:30 p.m. Highway 59 North
Friday
Poteau Chamber of Classic golf tournament
Saturday
Summer solstice at Spiro Mounds
Memorial service for Ida Sue ‘Susan’ Pitchford Finch
Carolyn Sue Pratt funeral service
Monday
LeFlore County commissioners meet 9 a.m.
Heavener School Board meets 6 p.m.
Feeling those summertime blues
By Terry Joe Wiles
It’s been a traditional spring in eastern Oklahoma, as best as I can remember anyway. Maybe there’s been a slightly bigger portion of rain than usual.
Lack of sunshine seems to be my tomatoes’ problem, but the sunny skies earlier last week have done wonders for them — and all the weeds. Thanks to Tyler, Joey and Ken, the men from Faith Community Church, for doing a lot of clean up, weedwacking, leaf blowing and just an hour of sipping ice water and good company. It dressed the homestead up and made it easier to see them nasty little copperheads that reside here.
It is easy to see the signs of summer by the blossoming of the colorful big tops everywhere almost overnight. The Fourth of July is just around the corner. I’ll have information on the celebrations and fireworks in the coming weeks.
Please remember to keep the many veterans in your neighborhood in mind. Put a respectful distance between those folks and the sky rockets and loud mortar-like displays. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is real. Or, instead of money spent on firecrackers, just send a couple of sacks of dog food to the animal shelters. Just be safe. Besides, fireworks burnt the best squirrel dog I ever owned. She got gun shy after a solid week of racket in my neighborhood on Garner Avenue in Poteau.
• • •
My favorite band, “Hillbilly Vegas”, will start the “Feels Good Tour” in England with six festivals and shows in eight days. Prayers for safe travels. May you have huge success with the release of the next single, “Feels Good,” from the album “Feels Good.”
The first song released, “Let It Ride,” went to the Top 10. I’ve had a chance to hear the unreleased album, and it is killer. It’s rock and roll done well, and it’s soon to be released worldwide in November. Here’s the official press release:
“Hillbilly Vegas will be on their “Feels Good” UK tour in July 2025, with multiple dates at various venues. They are performing at the Maid of Stone Festival, Steelhouse Festival and the Rock and Blues Custom Show, along with club dates in Sheffield and Reading. They are also playing as guests to Wolfsbane in Wolverhampton. The tour features the release of their new single “Feels Good,” which will be part of their upcoming album.”
• • •
I am EXCITED! Again! Pirate Jam Studio is opening. What you ask is, “What is Pirate Jam Studio?” Terry Lynn, son of two Poteau grads, musician of 50 years of experience will take students and put them together in a room to learn how to play together, react to each other and take solos, take sideman roles and even learn to be a band leader. Terry has more than 50 years of experience in the business, traveled on the road in the United States and two foreign countries. This will fill a void in live music in our area and form the next generation of musicians. You can’t learn this joy of being part of a band without this social interaction.
Pirate Jam Studio is located at 105 South McKenna Avenue in downtown Poteau. He takes students ages 12 to 100, any level, any instrument. He will try to mix and match musicians that will compliment each other, and make some killer jams. I will have more information next week, and I hope to hear Terry do a set Friday night at Open Mic Night at The Coffee Cup. That will be a good place to meet him and show interest in the studio. Think about how much fun and how much you, your youngsters and friends could learn and grow in live music.
• • •
The Poteau High School Alumni Reunion is just around the corner. Information about it is on our Facebook page and in “The Static.” We can always use more help, so think about it. You will enjoy it. This year, it’s “Sierra Bravo” playing for the Saturday dance. Billy Hoffman and band will be joined by the newest member, Felisha McKenzie. She is multi-talented as she plays the piano, guitar and ukulele, and she adds one of the prettiest voices to the mix. I am one of her biggest fans. Felisha and Billy compliment each other on stage and give the band a little more personality. NOW, It’s hard to imagine there’s room for more. Billy is one of the very best singers and frontmen in the business. He’s a solid entertainer. This is just a “Beauty and the Beast” kind of a thing. They will shine at the reunion, and we are looking forward to the dance. More information on local gigs for “Sierra Bravo” will be mentioned in my weekly column.
• • •
As for live music this week, at Crocky’s Cafe, located in Hackett, Arkansas, is starting the weekend right. On Friday, “The Common Thread Bluegrass Band” will bring its bluegrass/gospel music for the supper crowd. Then on Saturday, “Bourbon Rain” will “country it up” a bit with just a pinch of rock and roll. This is a great band to go with the good food. The music on both nights will begin at 6 p.m.
Speaking of Gospel, “The Wright Family” will have its singing on Saturday. The Red Barn Farm is located in Shady Point about one-half of a mile north of EZ Mart. Watch for signs that mark the driveway. Rochelle, Kyler and Robert invite you to this FREE, family-friendly, NS/ND, front-yard picking and grinning event that is uplifting and encouraging. It’s a sing-a-long good time. They will be joined this time by special guest, “The Alversons.” Plus, you get to hear Kyler blow some sweet sounds on his harmonica. He is quite the entertainer. Move over Robert. I think you got a new front man. The singing starts at 6:30 p.m.
“Make It a Double” with Connie and Dave Abbott will appear twice this month at the McAlester Veterans of Foreign Wars Building, this Saturday night and on June 28. You can dance to some awesome pure country music. Two-step, line-dance, waltz and even jitterbug or twist if you’re able. Bring some friends and join in the fun. The music will start at 7 p.m.
“Rhythm Coalition,” which plays country and red dirt, but mostly R&B, jazz, blues and some originals in the mix, will have a show at J.J.’s Grill on Dickson Street in Fayetteville starting 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Be prepared to be entertained. This band is very well liked at both J.J.’s Grill locations that the band has been booked five times this year. It’s always a good time when “Rhythm Coalition” takes the stage. Be there!
“The MidWestern Playboys” will be on stage and ready to go at Muldrow City Limits on Saturday. It will be a great show by some seasoned musicians as they will play the right songs at the right tempo for the right dance, so enjoy yourselves and others when the waterfall is called. It’s a great place to dance with a big floor and lots of seating. Shelia and David Keith invite you to bring friends and have a good time. The theme for this dance is the “Senior Prom,” so dress accordingly. The songs will start playing at 7 p.m. See you there.
Well, that ain’t all I got to say but my time is up. Support local live music!
For additional information about any live-music events or to let know about any other such venues, call me or text message me at (918) 649-5736, get with me on Facebook or e-mail me at tj.wiles61@outlook.com.
Don’t let mosquitoes and ticks bug you this summer
Red Cross tips to keep pests at bay while you enjoy the outdoors
Don’t let mosquitoes and ticks ruin your carefree summer fun. As we spend more time outdoors for activities like camping, hiking, swimming, picnicking and grilling, or even doing yard work, there is a greater chance of getting bitten by mosquitoes and ticks.
“With recent periods of heavy rain, mosquitoes and ticks could be an even bigger problem than usual this summer,” said Loida Haffener Salmond, Executive Director of the Red Cross of South Central and Southeast Oklahoma. “But by following a few simple steps, you can help keep everyone in your home safe from these bothersome and potentially dangerous pests.”
According to the American Mosquito Control Association there are 176 known species of mosquito in the U.S.—putting Americans at risk from coast to coast. And while mosquitoes may be the most obvious detractor from summer fun, ticks are a hazard that’s harder to detect.
Most active during warmer months, it is especially important to be vigilant of American dog ticks, Lone Star ticks and Gulf Coast ticks in this region. Each species carries and transmits a variety of diseases, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia and southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI). The Lone Star tick’s bite can also trigger an allergic response known as alpha-gal syndrome. Sufferers develop an allergy to red meat and other foods derived from mammals.
Mosquitoes and ticks are more than just itchy and annoying — these pests can pose a major health risk to people. Follow these tips to prevent mosquito and tick bites this summer:
Use insect repellents containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) when you are outdoors. Be sure to follow the directions on the package.
Consider staying indoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants and tuck your pant legs into your socks or boots.
Use a rubber band or tape to hold pants against socks so that nothing can get under clothing.
Tuck your shirt into your pants. Wear light-colored clothing to make it easier to see tiny insects or ticks.
When hiking in woods and fields, stay in the middle of trails. Avoid underbrush and tall grass.
If you are outdoors for a long time, check yourself several times during the day. Especially check in hairy areas of the body like the back of the neck and the scalp line.
Inspect yourself carefully for insects or ticks after being outdoors or have someone else do it.
If you have pets that go outdoors, spray with repellent made for their breed/type. Apply the repellent according to the label and check your pet for ticks often.
Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying sources of standing water outside of the home, such as from flowerpots, buckets and barrels.
Be Prepared for Emergencies. Accidents happen, but you can be ready to help yourself and your loved ones with this FREE Red Cross First Aid app. The First Aid app puts expert advice for common emergencies, including insect and tick bites, at your fingertips. Videos, interactive quizzes and simple step-by-step advice makes learning easy and engaging. You can access your course certifications, new lifesaving First Aid content, and locate your nearest hospital in case of emergency. Select English or Spanish language with an in-app toggle.
Today in history
1885
Statue of Liberty arrives in New York Harbor
On June 17, 1885, the dismantled Statue of Liberty, a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of America, arrives in New York Harbor after being shipped across the Atlantic Ocean in 350 individual pieces packed in more than 200 cases. The copper and iron statue, which was... read more
American Revolution
1775
Cold War
1953
Soviets crush antigovernment riots in East Berlin
Crime
1994
O.J. Simpson leads L.A. police on a low-speed chase
2015
Native American History
1876
Native Americans score victory at the Battle of the Rosebud
Sports
1976
U.S. Presidents
1900
Future President Hoover caught in Boxer Rebellion
1972
World War II
1940
France signals intention to surrender to the Nazis
1943
FDR’s secretary of war stifles Truman’s inquiry into suspicious defense plant
Ida Sue ‘Susan’ Pitchford Finch obituary
Ida Sue ‘Susan’ Pitchford Finch, 89, of Hutto, Texas, went to Heaven on May 30, 2025. She slipped away peacefully after a brief illness, surrounded by all of her loved ones. Born Aug. 14, 1935, in Ratcliff, Arkansas, Susan was the fifth of eight children of Lester and Amy Blaylock Pitchford. She was a cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt, and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
A memorial service is 11 a.m. Saturday at the Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home Chapel in Heavener with Pastor Brock Hardin officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener.
In 1945, her father was hired by the Missouri Railroad Company and relocated his family to Van Buren, Arkansas. Susan graduated from Van Buren High School with the class of 1953 and then worked as a legal secretary for the Batchelor & Batchelor Law Firm until her first child was born.
Susan and Jesse Charles ‘J.C.’ Finch, childhood friends through his bond with her family and the close-knit community, were always destined to spend their lives together. They married Dec. 18, 1954 at the First Baptist Church in Van Buren. Their passion for embracing new challenges led them across the country with J.C.’s aerospace career. With each move, Susan diligently packed up their home, resettled, and ensured their daughters adapted and thrived. An independent, adventurous spirit, Susan’s strength grew and flourished as she traveled to new places.
Following their final move to St. Charles, Missouri, Susan embarked upon a career at Southwestern Bell. She retired in 1995 as a highly respected and well-loved manager. In retirement, she enjoyed reading and spending time with her husband, daughters and grandchildren who deeply loved their ‘Noni’. Later in life, Susan settled in Texas with her daughter, Brenda Finch. She treasured the frequent time spent with her grandson, Jess West, whom she considered a son, and who saw her as a second mom.
Susan’s gift for listening and offering a kind word or smile put everyone at ease. Her gentle wisdom made her a trusted counselor, guiding loved ones and strangers alike with compassionate advice. Her love and warmth touched the hearts of everyone she met.
Susan is survived by her daughters Brenda S. Finch of Hutto, Texas, Ronee K. Finch of Austin, Texas, and Pamela J. Morris and husband Dan of Chesterfield, Missouri; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren Jesse M. West, David Peterson, Aimee Leach, Jenifer Svoboda, Grant Morris, Natalie Dorman, Evan Morris, Pierce Dorman, Tyler Morris, Danielle Morris, Bella Finch, Kya Peterson, Cash Finch, Layla Botello, Victoria Leach, Olivia Leach, Noelle Svoboda, Jesse J. West and Bryce West; her sister, Helen Deffenbaugh, of Poteau; her brother Bill Pitchford and wife Lynne of Heavener, Oklahoma; her sisters-in-law Pat Pitchford of Bossier City, Louisiana, and Norma Pitchford of Poteau; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
Susan is preceded in death by her parents Amy (Blaylock) and Lester K. Pitchford, Sr.; her husband of 60 years, Jesse C. Finch; her brothers Bobby Pitchford, Earl Pitchford and L.K. Pitchford Jr.; her sisters Wanda Faye Richmond and Bexta Jean Pitchford; her brothers-in-law Carl Richmond and Edwin Deffenbaugh; her sister-in-law Patsy Pitchford, and her nephew Keith Pitchford.
Honorary pallbearers are Jerry Pitchford, Mike Richmond and Gary Pitchford.
“Rest in peace, Sue. May your strong and loving spirit surround us all and be the wind beneath our wings”.
A visitation will precede the service from 10 to 11 a.m. and luncheon will follow the service at Heavener First Baptist Church.
To sign Susan’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.