The LCJ newsletter covers LeFlore County and southeastern Oklahoma. To receive our daily newsletter and help support us, subscribe for $5 per month or $50 per year or sign up as a free subscriber and receive all editions, just at a later time than paying subscribers. If you have questions or comments, call or text (918) 649-4712.
Bible verse of the day
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
Revelation 4:11 NIV
Obituary for Marvin Morrison
Marvin Theil Morrison of Heavener was born Nov. 4, 1929 in Blackfork, Arkansas to Cecil and Luie (Campbell) Morrison and went home to be with his Lord March 5, 2024 in Heavener at the age of 94.
Funeral service is 2 p.m. Friday at Big Creek Baptist Church in Heavener with Brother Phillip Jones and Brother Mike Steelman officiating. Military honors will be provided by Poteau DAV Chapter #63. Burial will follow in Page Cemetery, under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener.
Marvin was a life-long resident of area, a poultry grower, and spent most of his life working in timber. He was a deacon and a member of the Big Creek Baptist Church, where he taught the youth for many years. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and lived life to the fullest. Marvin enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He was a veteran, where he served his country during the Korean conflict. Marvin was a loving father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend. He will be missed by all that knew and loved him.
Surviving family members are a daughter Brenda Higgins and husband Haskell of Howe; three sons Coy Morrison and wife Florine of Heavener, Marty Morrison and wife Deana of Heavener, and Harvey Morrison of Heavener; one brother James Morrison and wife Bobbie of the Hontubby community; 14 grandchildren Nick Higgins and wife Jennifer of Howe, A.J. Higgins and wife Cheyanne of Howe, Levi Morrison of Heavener, Megan Close and husband Frank of Grove, Dustin Smittle and wife Whitney of Poteau, Blake Smittle of Poteau, Johnny Morrison of Heavener, Kari McGee and husband Bucky of Heavener, Joshua Morrison and wife Amanda of Heavener, Jess Morrison and wife Kristen of Heavener, Chrystal Thompson and husband Benji of Heavener, C.J. Morrison of Heavener, Chloe Morrison of Heavener and Cory Morrison of Heavener; several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 73 years, Geneva (Brown) Morrison; two sisters; 10 brothers; and a great-granddaughter, Bella Thompson.
Pallbearers are his grandsons.
Honorary pallbearers are Rick West, Joe Hickman, Derick Baker and Aaron Alexander.
Viewing is from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. until noon Friday. The family will visit with friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
To sign Marvin’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.
Obituary for Lawrence Cagle
Lawrence James Cagle of Poteau was born Aug. 3, 1950 in McAlester to LJ and Arvilla (Sinyard) Cagle and passed away March 5, 2024 in Poteau at the age of 73.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener, Oklahoma.
Lawrence was a long-time resident of the area and a retired Police Officer. He was a loving father, brother, uncle and friend. Lawrence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Surviving family members are one daughter, Arla Pledger; one son, Larry Cagle; one sister; and two brothers.
He was preceded in death by his parents, LJ and Arvilla Cagle; his wife, Pamela Cagle; and one son, Robert Cagle.
To sign Lawrence’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.
Service set for Billy Joe Hornburger Jr.
Funeral service for Billy Joe Hornburger, Jr., 64, of Poteau is 2 p.m. Saturday at Evans Chapel of Memories in Poteau with Minister Steve Breedlove and The Church of Christ ministry team officiating.
Burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery in Poteau, under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau.
He was born Oct. 13, 1959 in Oklahoma City to Shirley Irene (Spencer) Hornburger and Billy Joe Hornburger, Sr. and passed away March 1, 2024 in Poteau.
Survivors include his sister, Shalle Marie Hornburger-Kimble; brothers Randy Hornburger and wife Suzie, and Bill Joseph Hornburger.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Sherry Hornburger.
Pam Hunt
Pamela Jo “Pam” Hunt went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Feb. 20, 2024 in Edmond. She was 74.
Pam was born Dec. 29, 1949, at Harvey Clinic in Heavener to Holland and Agnes Wright. She married Ron Hunt Nov. 20, 1992.
She grew up in Heavener, the fourth of five children. The family moved to El Reno in 1964 when her father went to work for the Rock Island Railroad. She graduated from El Reno High School and El Reno Junior College. She was one of 18 graduates selected to receive a Junior College leadership award to study at the University of Oklahoma where she received a Bachelor of Science in nursing in 1972. She began her career as a registered nurse at Children’s Memorial Hospital with stops at Parkview Hospital, Oklahoma Home Health (the first home health in the state) and Norman Regional Hospital. She retired after 22 years of dedicated service as a psychiatric nurse from Griffin Memorial Hospital.
Pam was an avid quilter and member of the Mid-Del Stitchin’ Sisters quilting guild where she enjoyed spending time with special friends Vivian Allen and Judy Benetz. She enjoyed working in her flower beds, collecting stained glass and butterflies of any kind. However, her grandchildren remain her greatest joy and legacy, and they will miss her immensely. Pam attended Life Church in west Edmond.
She is survived by her son Matt Wehmuller and wife Diane; son Marcus Wehmuller and wife Natalie; stepdaughter, Michelle Wheeler; nine grandchildren Brenden Wehmuller, Alie Wehmuller, Caden Wehmuller, Connor Wehmuller, Ellie Wehmuller, Nate Wehmuller, Hope Wehmuller, Josh Hunt, and Christina Smith and husband Zac; one great grandchild, Ava Smith; numerous nieces and nephews; siblings Tom Wright and wife Marilyn of Gainesville, Georgia, Anne Marchant and husband Bob of Poteau; and sisters-in-law Mary Ann Wright of Ruidoso, New Mexico and Dixie Wright of Bryan, Texas.
Pam was preceded in death by her husband Ron Hunt; stepson, Jason Hunt; brothers Mitchell Wright and David Wright; and her nephew, Tommy Wright.
A special thanks to her sister Anne, caregiver MariJane, and Russell Murray Hospice for the love, care and support they provided in the last few weeks of her life. Donations can be made in honor of Pam Hunt to Russell Murray Hospice or LifeShare of Oklahoma.
Modena Duncan
Mildred Modena Duncan of Heavener was born July 5, 1929 in Fort Smith, Arkansas to Frank and Mildred (Edge) Hayes and was called to her heavenly home March 3, 2024 in Heavener with family by her side.
Funeral service is 2 p.m. Thursday at 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.
She was a loving wife, a devoted mother and sister, a precious aunt, and a wonderful friend to many in the Heavener community. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Heavener, where she taught Sunday school. She was currently attending Freedom House Fellowship in Heavener.
In May 1973, she graduated college with a B.S. Degree in Education. Modena retired from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services in 1986 after 20 years of service. After retirement, she enjoyed traveling and playing Bridge with her friends.
Modena spent her life devoted to her family, her husband Pete and daughter Marilyn, caring for each before they preceded her in death.
Surviving family members are her sister-in-law, Jean Hayes, of Fort Smith, Arkansas; nephew Keith Hayes and wife Brenda of Alma, Arkansas; niece Kimberly Meeks and husband Bobby of Hackett, Arkansas; five great nieces and nephews; and four great-great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Mildred Hayes; her husband, M. C. Pete Duncan; her daughter, Marilyn Duncan; and a brother, Harold Hayes.
Pall bearers are Keith Hayes, Jonathan Hayes, Tyler Delmedico, Bobby Meeks, Noah Meeks and Brandon Sheffler.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Gideon International and/or Freedom House Building Fund in honor of Modena.
Viewing is from 9 a.m. until service time Thursday at the funeral home.
To sign Modena’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.
Jackie Smith
Cremation for Jackie Gene Smith, 81, of Cameron is under the direction of Grace Funeral Service of Poteau.
The family will hold a memorial service at a later date.
Jackie Gene Smith was born July 28, 1942 in Fort Smith, Arkansas to Evelyn (Alverson) Smith and Dewitt Smith and gained his wings March 2, 2024 in Cameron.
He married Mary Sue (Fountain) April 5, 1972 in Poteau. Jack was an avid hunter and fisherman. He spent most of his life spending time with family on the mountain. In his younger years he was in the Marine Corps for seven years and a Vietnam veteran. He then went to work for Burford Distributing where he retired after 30 years.
Jack was a beloved husband, father, brother, and grandpa.
Surviving family members are his wife, Mary, of the home; three sons Timmy and Amanda Adams of Cameron, Wayne and Sherry Adams of Poteau, and Danny and Toni Adams of Cameron; eight grandchildren Jenny and Bobby Vaugh of Cameron, Chris and Nyssa Adams of Heavener, Phylicia and Kyle Noble of Hackett, Arkansas, Ariel and Shawn Tucker of Cameron, Katy and Cole Means of Wister, Lovie and Cody McAlpin of Shady Point, Sierra Adams; Ashton and Loren Adams of Pocola; 25 great grandchildren with one of the way; one great great grandchildren; sisters, Norma and Karen; and a brother, James.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Shirley.
You may leave an online message at www.gracemanorfh.com.
David Jones
Funeral service for David Allen Jones, 54, of Poteau was Wednesday at the Monroe Church of Christ with Dick Herlocker officiating.
Burial followed at the Monroe Cemetery, under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau.
He was born March 17, 1969 in Dallas, Texas to Velma (Borden) Jones and Carl W. Jones, Sr. and passed away Feb. 29, 2024 in Mansfield, Arkansas.
Survivors include his mother, Velma Jones; brother Wayne Jones and wife Katena; fiancé, Leslie Cotner, and her son Sheldon Robison and wife Taylor; daughters Brittney Lawson and husband Maverick, and Candice Snow and husband Dylan; sons Colton Jones and Blake Jones; and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father, Carl Jones; and his grandparents.
Martie Wisdom
Martha Catherine Wisdom “Martie” of Heavener was born Sept. 26, 1949 in
El Paso, Texas and went to her heavenly home March 1, 2024 in Fort Smith, Arkansas at the age of 74.
Funeral service was Tuesday at Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home Chapel in Heavener with Brother Sam Dyer officiating. Burial followed in Heavener Memorial Park, under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener.
While our hearts are saddened by the end date, our focus is the dash in between. Martie lived quite the life. She was a 1968 graduate of Heavener High School and was a member of the Heavener First Baptist Church. Martie was a strong woman of faith and an active sponsor for The Believers. She raised her kids with her husband Larry, and worked most of her life at Bullard’s Flowers in Heavener. She was an avid florist, and absolutely loved serving her small town community. Martie enjoyed spending time with her family and her friends. To know Martie was to love her.
Her favorite title was “Memaw”, in fact upon meeting new people she would tell them “Just call me Memaw”. This is not goodbye, it’s simply “Until we meet again”
Martie is survived by: three children Brenda Perdue of Poteau, Melissa Aplin and husband Charles of Heavener and Steven Wisdom and companion Emily of Hagerstown, Maryland; four grandchildren Aneisha Mayhall and husband Kevin of Wister, Jenna Page and husband Justin of Poteau and Zane Aplin and Carson Aplin both of Heavener; two great-grandchildren Cameron Prier and Kashton Ray Mayhall, both of Wister; one sister, Kaye (Caldwell) Jones, of Warner Robins, Georgia; one brother Stanley Caldwell and wife Katie of Broken Arrow; and a host of other family members and great friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Wisdom; her parents Stanley B.
Caldwell and Emma (Gipson) Caldwell; her sister, Judith Caldwell; and a special cousin, Jimmie Ruth Wheeler.
Pallbearers were Justin Page, Kevin Mayhall, Ralph Perdue, Jr., Andy Perdue, Jim Burroughs, Zane Aplin, Eddie Freeman and Craig Hall.
To sign Martie’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.
Randi Branscum
Randi Makayla Branscum, 27 of Poteau, Oklahoma was born Aug. 8, 1996 in Poteau to Margaret (Hanshew) Branscum and Randy Thomas Branscum and passed away Feb. 29, 2024 in Poteau.
Cremation is under the direction of Grace Funeral Service.
Survivors include mother, Margaret Branscum; daughter, Layla Bella Mae Cook; special friend and father to her only child, Landon Cook. brothers Steven Michael Bondurant Jr. and Travis Branscum; aunt Marlene King; and uncles Glen Hanshew and Lonnie Bland.
Randi was preceded in death by her father Randy Thomas Branscum; and brother, Casey Ray Branscum.
You may leave an online message at www.gracemanorfh.com.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to LCJ newsletter to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.