Obituaries

Rev. Kenneth L. VanMeter, a resident of Henryetta, passed away Thursday, May 13, 2021 in Henryetta, OK at the age of 90. He was born on October 19, 1930 in Hartshorne, OK to David VanMeter and Bessie (Emberson) VanMeter.

Randy Gene Tippin passed away Saturday, May 22nd, 2021 at St Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma as the age of 52. Randy was born March 5, 1969 in Wetumka, Oklahoma to Warren Tippin Sr. and Cathy (Wagoner) Tippin. He graduated from Calvin Public Schools with perfect attendance for 13 years.

Esther Sue Edwards passed away Monday, May 16, 2021 at her home in Calvin, Oklahoma at the age 84. Esther Sue Edwards was born November 30, 1936 in Wetumka, OK to Walter and Esther Smith. Sue had read 10,000 books before entering high school.

Norma Faye Hensley, 86, passed from this earthly body to her heavenly home on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. She was under hospice care in her daughter’s home in Mansfield, Texas. Norma was born on April 12, 1935 in Spaulding, Oklahoma to Joe and Della Moore.

Funeral Services for Gene Pullen will be held today, Thursday, May 27, 2021 at 11:00 AM at the Parks Brothers Funeral Home Chapel in Wetumka, Oklahoma. Interment will follow at the Pullen Family Cemetery outside of Wetumka.

Danny Claude Jackson passed away at his home in Holdenville on Saturday, May 15, 2021, at the age of 74 years. Danny was the son of William C. Jackson and Grace Lorene (Cox) Jackson, born on February 13, 1947, in Holdenville, Oklahoma.

Thurman Derrell Tankersley was born July 18, 1936 in Wetumka, Oklahoma to Thurston Grady Tankersley and Amby Renee Tankersley. He passed from this life May 20, 2021 in Tulsa at the age of 84. Thurman Derrell Tankersley was raised in Wetumka by Bill and Amby Tankersley.

Leslie Anne (Wheat) Griffin passed away at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Monday, May 24, 2021, at the age of 62 years. Leslie was the daughter of Mildred Josephine ‘Josi’ Hall and James Buck ‘J. B.’ Wheat, born on August 20, 1958, in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

Terry Joe Carter was born May 24, 1962 in Okemah, Oklahoma to Barry Jr. Carter and Bertha Lee (Tillery) Carter. He was raised in Wetumka, Oklahoma with his six sisters Bessie, Katie, Linda, Diane, Vicki, and Janie and his one brother, Tommy.

Michael Ray Smith was born November 2, 1961 in Bakersfield, California to Carson William Smith, Jr. and Frances Geneva Smith and passed from this life May 16, 2021 in Weleetka at the age of 59. Michael Ray Smith was raised in Bakersfield and graduated High School in Shafter, California.