LCJ weekly newsletter 2-13-2025

Thursday's newsletter

Daily Bible verse

for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.

Hebrews 4:10

Guess Who?

Here is this week’s Guess Who. If you can identify this sharp-dressed man, send his name by email to craig@heavenerledger.com and your name will be in next week’s issue. Last week, the Guess Who was Linda Mead Nolan. Congratulations to Ray Luman, Joe Paul Stinson, Russell Walker, Joey Clubb, Nan McClain, Terry Smittle, Betty Ford and Fran Benton for identifying her.

Blast from the past

Eddie Freeman was named citizen of the year at the 2015 Heavener Chamber of Commerce. He was presented the award by Dylan Roberts, right, who was the president of the chamber at the time.

Obituary for Ginger Lockhart

Ginger Ellen (Harrison) Lockhart, 76, of Heavener was born June 1, 1948 in Springfield, Oregon to Vera (Dorsey) and Everett Harrison and passed away Feb. 11, 2025 in Heavener.

Funeral services are 2 p.m. Friday at the Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home Chapel in Heavener with Brother Sam Dyer officiating. Burial will follow in Heavener Memorial Park under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener. Nurses Honor Guard of the River Valley will do a tribute to Ginger during the service.

Ginger was a longtime resident of the area and a retired RN. She was a 1966 graduate of Springfield High School in Springfield, Oregon. Ginger had a distinguished career graduating in the first nursing class at Carl Albert State College in 1983, where she was elected as the first RN class President. She is a member of Freedom House Fellowship Church. Ginger loved traveling and spending time with her family and friends. She will be deeply missed but her memory will live on in our hearts forever.

Surviving family members are one daughter Jami Winters and husband Jim of Heavener; one son

James Lockhart and wife Carrie of Heavener; her grandchildren Stormy Winters, Haylee Sanchez and husband Octavio, Hope Lockhart and Jakob Lockhart; one great-grandson, Kash Sanchez; her sister-in-law Kay Garner and husband Kilbourn of Columbus, Ohio; nieces Amanda Foresee and husband Paree, Carla Pride and husband Ted, Mindy Stevens, Kristie Garner, Charita Cooper and husband Patrick; Many great-nieces and great-nephews; numerous other loved ones and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Everett and Vera Harrison; her husband of 57 years, James “Bud” Lockhart; and one sister, Clyda Mattison.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Lockhart Scholarship Fund at Community State Bank.

Pallbearers are Jakob Lockhart, Mark Huie, Octavio Sanchez, Robbie Dorsey, Ted Pride and Walker Bryan.

Viewing is from 1 until 8:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. until service time. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 6 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

To sign Ginger’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.

Margarette Mitchell

Margarette Earl Mitchell, 83, of Pocola was born to Clyde and Eugenia (Smith) Dumas Sept. 27, 1941 in Monroe, Louisiana and passed away Feb. 6, 2025 at her home in Pocola.

To honor Margarette’s life there was a graveside service Tuesday at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas with Clayton Sloan and other family members officiating. Burial followed under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Cremation Service of Poteau.

Margarette was a long-time resident of the area, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and was a retired LPN at Pocola Health and Rehab. Margarette loved gardening and spending time with her family. She will be deeply missed by all whom loved and knew her.

Surviving family members are one daughter, Carolyn Sloan; son-in-law, Ron Sloan; four grandchildren Scott Boyd, Katie Schneider, Logan Sloan, and Clayton Sloan and wife Savannah; three great-grandchildren Clayton Boyd, Andrew Boyd, and River Sloan; numerous other loved ones and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Eugenia Dumas; her husband, Ilson “Jeri” Mitchell, Jr.; one daughter, Susan Schneider; one grandson, Eric Boyd; and one sister, Clydene Privett.

To view Margarette’s online guestbook, please visit www.dowdenrobertscremationcenter.com.

Harold Dean Brown

Harold Dean Brown, 82, of Heavener was born July 5, 1942 in Webb City to Harold Jesse and Irene (Phelps) Brown and passed away Feb. 9, 2025 in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

No services are scheduled at this time.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Dowden Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener.

Harold was a longtime resident of the area, a graduate of Shidler High School, a member of Big Creek Baptist Church, and a farmer/rancher. He was a veteran of the Vietnam era. Harold loved fishing, hunting, antiques and going to the casino.

Surviving family members are three sons Sonny Brown and wife Teresa of Hodgen, Stony Brown and wife Kindra of Hodgen, and Jess Brown and wife Shanna of Poteau; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and one more on the way; numerous other loved ones and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Gail Brown; and one sister.

To sign Harold’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.

Joyce Ann Bridges

Funeral services for Joyce Ann Bridges, 80, of Spiro are 2 p.m. Thursday at Mallory-Martin Chapel in Spiro with Brother Robert Hill officiating. She will be laid to rest at New Hope Cemetery in Spiro, under the direction of Mallory Martin Funeral Home.
Joyce was born Oct. 14, 1944, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to Mildred (Joyce) and Joe Frank "Bill" Statham. She passed away Feb. 8, 2025, in Spiro.

Joyce was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She will be remembered for her kindness, and devotion to her faith.

She was married to Larry Bridges for 54 years. She was employed by Sparks Regional Medical Center in Fort Smith, Arkansas where she excelled at her work. She was a valued and exemplary Unit Secretary there for over 38 years. She enjoyed reading and attending activities at the Choctaw Center.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Larry Bridges; her brother, Larry Statham; and her son, Steven Bridges.

She is survived by her daughter, Janet Rogers and husband Tony; her son, Shannon Bridges and wife Sarah; her sister, Betsy Criswell; grandchildren, Seth Rogers and wife Katy, Kacee Rogers, Ryan Rogers, Olivia Bridges, and Sadie Kate Bridges; and great-grandchildren, Emma Lynn Rogers, John Rogers; many nieces and nephews.

Lee Ray Walkner

Lee Ray Walkner, 70, of Pocola passed away Feb. 5, 2025, in Pocola and was born March 11, 1954, in Cambridge, Minnesota, to Goldie (Bergstrom) Walkner and Kenneth Walkner.

His funeral service was Tuesday at Evans Chapel of Memories in Pocola with Tim Smith officiating. Burial followed at Clear Springs Cemetery in Willow Springs, Missouri.

Survivors are his wife, Carolyn Walkner; daughter, Natasha Bottoms; his sister, Lois Stephens; and his brother, Al Walkner and wife, Amy.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings LeRoy, Lloyd, Lorraine, Lyle, Leland, Ralph and Linda.

Pallbearers were Tyler Howard, Al Walkner, Aaron Cagle, Hudson Howard, and Scott Walkner. Honorary pallbearers include John Leatherman, Don Martin, Junior Wisdom and Maddox Howard.

Norma Jean Reed

Visitation service for Norma Jean (Phillips) Reed was Friday at Mallory-Martin Funeral Home in Spiro with cremation following.
Norma was born May 24, 1944, in Braden to Billy and Vertie Phillips and passed away Feb. 5, 2025 at the age of 80.

She met her lifelong love, Robert Reed, and married him in 1971. The blessed couple lived together here in Spiro for over 50 years.

She was a member of Faith Temple Holiness Church in the Murry Spur community, where she took joy in being the lead singer of the choir. Norma was a hardworking woman. She worked at OK Foods in Fort Smith, Arkansas and the Sierra Corporation in Pocola. She also did provider work for quite some time. She enjoyed going to church, reading her Bible, and cooking. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister who absolutely cherished her family.

She is survived by her husband, Robert Reed of Spiro; two sons Vincent Reed and wife Lacy of Cameron, and Aaron Reed and Ladena Hughs-Johnson of Cheyenne; one daughter, Nicole (Reed) McFerren, of Spiro; a sister, Freda Mae Clayton of Spiro; sisters- in-law Elizabeth Clayton of Fort Coffee, Lillian Thompson of Chicago, Illinois; and a brother, William B. Phillips, of Spiro; grandchildren Justice Reed, Desirae Reed, Connor Reed, Hayden Reed, Deonte Reed, Benjamin Ritter, Milhon Clayborne, Salena Giton, Gerriah Evans, Elexander (Moosie) Perryman and Aaliyah Hayes; nieces Kim Clayton and Herbert of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Ramona Lewis and Gary also of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Betty Clayton and Mike of California, Peppermint Clayton of Atlanta Georgia, Dolline Hayes and Terry of Chicago, Illinois, Jewel Thenses and Ann of Chicago, Illinois, and Datience Clayton and Talisa, Felicia Philips and Malcolm, and Laneise Phillips; nephews Clody Sykes and Felicia of Chicago, Illinois, Glen Sykes and Cookie of Atlanta, Georgia, Ray Sykes and Laura of Chicago, Illinois, Aaron Jones of Spiro, Oklahoma, Jeremy Clayton and Nicki of Conway, Arkansas, Tommy Poole of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Wade Poole, and Charles Poole of Fort Smith, Arkansas; and Cody Choates and Jennifer of Texas.

Pallbearers are Vincent Reed, Ken Mumphrey, Aaron Reed, Vernon Bunch, Gerriah Evans, Jeremy Clayton, Elexander (Moosie) Perryman and Aaron Jones.

Honorary pallbearers are William B Phillips, Hayden Reed, Conner Reed and Benjamin Ritter.

Flower girls are Nicole (Reed) McFerron, Patience Clayton, Lacy Reed, Freda Mae Clayton, Desirae Reed, Felicia Phillips, Ladona Hughs-Johnson, Laneise Phillips and Elizabeth Clayton.

Honorary flower girls are Aaliyah Hayes, Milhon Clayborne and Selena Giron.

You may leave an online message at www.MalloryMartinFuneralHomeSpiro.com.