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Dr. William Lamar Horton
Shawnee resident Dr. William (Bill) Horton, former OBU professor and Shawnee News-Star writer, died peacefully Saturday, April 23, in Shawnee.
He was born Aug. 26, 1935, in Rock Hill, N.C., to Ruth and Luther Horton.
In June 1956, he married Peggy Ann Small of Lancaster, S. C.
Horton attended colleges in South Carolina, including Wingate College in Wingate, N.C., and Furman University in Greenville, S.C., completing his bachelor's degree in music. He attained a master's of musical arts and doctor of musical arts from Southern Theological Seminary. He did postdoctoral studies at UCLA, University of Michigan and Paris, France.
Horton was a master teacher in music and arts. He was professor of music at South Georgia College of the University of Georgia, Douglas, Ga.; Southern Seminary in Louisville, Ky.; Ouachita University in Arkadelphia, Ark.; and Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee.
Horton spent a lifetime in church music as a teacher, organist, conductor, and baritone soloist throughout the South and Southwest. He was guest conductor of the Canterbury Choral Society, Oklahoma City, in the Mozart requiem. He was minister of music at University Baptist Church and First Christian Church in Shawnee. He was organist of Christian Scientist Church and organist and choirmaster at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Shawnee.
Dr. Horton was actively involved the music and arts and civic organizations at the local, state and national levels including National Association of Teachers of Singing, Oklahoma Chapter of Teachers of Singing, where he was the third vice president, Phi Ma Alpha-men's music fraternity; Music Teachers National Association; Oklahoma Province Governor of Oklahoma; Music Teachers National Association, Oklahoma Adjudicator's Association, Shawnee Band Association president; B.B. McKinney Foundation Board; chairman of Oklahoma Arts Council; actor and musician at Shawnee Little Theatre; Rotary Club, and Masons at McAlester. Horton was a great entertainer throughout Oklahoma for more than 35 years. He enjoyed making people laugh. He loved people.
Horton received many music and civic awards throughout his life. In 1974 he was named Oklahoma Musician of the Year. He was most recently named Shawnee Community Hero for outstanding community service.
He authored music books and had numerous articles in professional journals.
He was honored for his high achievements in Outstanding Educators of America, Who's Who in America and Who's Who in the Southwest.
Horton purchased The Great Escape Travel, enjoying more than 25 years of world traveling and European tour guiding. His sense of human and love of life were reflected in his specialized groups.
He was the arts and movie critic for The Shawnee News-Star for more than 25 years. He later wrote for the Shawnee Sun. He loved promoting people and their talents.
Horton was preceded in death by his parents and an infant son, Patrick Horton.
He is survived by his wife, Peggy, of the home; four children, Richard Horton of the home, Ron and Dr. Theresa Horton of Beijing, China, Randy and Cimarron Horton of Brandon, Fla., and Julie Short and Kenton Selvey of Washington, D.C.; grandchildren, are Connor Horton, Jack Dyer Horton, Allie Ann Horton and Jimmy Horton, all of Beijing, and Carter Horton of Brandon; other family special to him were his sisters-in-law. Jean Wolman of New York City, and Tina Woodward of Fairhaven, N.J. Horton loved all family members, aunts, uncles, cousins and his host of friends throughout the United States and Europe.
A celebration of his life will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Highland and Broadway in Shawnee. Visitation and a light lunch with the family will immediately follow after the service in the parish hall.
Memorials may be made to Emmanuel Episcopal Organ Fund or Horton Voice Scholarship, Oklahoma Baptist University, 500 W. University, Shawnee, or Horton Voice Scholarship at Furman University, Greenville, S.C.
Frona Reeves (Bush) Hunsucker
Shawnee resident Frona Reeves (Bush) Hunsucker, 87, died Tuesday, April 24, in Colonial Estates.
Frona was born on February 8, 1920 to Charles Andrew and Tennie (Henry) Bush in Foreman, Ark. She was the youngest of 12 children.
Frona married Robert Hunsucker on August 20, 1938, and they spent 68 wonderful years together. They moved to Shawnee in 1951 and have been here ever since. She was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, which she joined in 1951. She was also a member of Eastern Star. Frona was devoted to her family above and beyond the call of duty. She was a loyal friend, as well as being very giving and generous. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her step-mother, Winnie Bush, and 11 siblings.
She is survived by her husband, Robert Hunsucker of the home; two children, Charles Hunsucker and wife, Mickey Ruth, of Austin, Texas, and Lynn Turner and husband, Gene, of Shawnee; four grandchildren, Leslie Rae Hunsucker-Pollock, Amy Lynn Hunsucker-Prasad, Heather Lee Turner, and Sarah Elizabeth Turner; two great-grandchildren, Sai Savan Pollock and Banyan Flint Pollock; numerous niece, nephews, and cousins.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Tony Haddad at Unity Hospital, Heartland Hospice of Shawnee, and Colonial Estates.
Visitation will be today from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Service will be 2 p.m. Friday at Resthaven Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Sam Hendry and Chaplin Donny Knight officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heartland Hospice of Shawnee.
Ann Roberts
Our beloved mother, Ann Roberts, widow of E.L. "Bert" Roberts, died peacefully Tuesday, April 24, in Lewisville, Texas.
Ann was born October 2, 1917, in Seminole to Joseph P. and Letitia A. Coughlin.
When she was an infant, her family moved to Shawnee. She attended St. Benedict's School and Shawnee High School where she graduated in 1934 at the age of 16.
She went to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company where she met and married E.L. "Bert" Roberts in December 1939. In 1945, Bert and Ann moved to Ada where they raised five children.
Ann led a very energetic life as a mother, homemaker and a member of St. Joseph's Altar Society. Following her husband's death in 1969, Ann re-entered the workforce and continued working into her '70s. After retirement she remained actively involved in St. Joseph church activities. In 2001 Ann moved to Lewisville, Texas, to be close to her daughters.
Ann was a life-long Catholic and a devoted member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church for more than 50 years. Her strong faith and loving kindness were a source of inspiration for many. She possessed a keen intelligence, a ready wit, and a contagious laugh.
Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Bert Roberts; son, Fr. Victor Roberts; and grandson, Rob Gregory.
Survivors include her daughters, Tish Hall and husband, Dale, of Plano, Texas, Peggy Buchanan and husband, Brian, of Lufkin, Texas, Judy Willett and husband, Leonard, of Irving, Texas, Susan Roberts and husband, Larry Spitzer, of Lewisville; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services will be 10 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ada, with Abbot Martin Lugo, OSB, St. Gregory's Abbey of Shawnee, will officiate. Visitation will be 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Criswell Funeral Home, Ada.
Pallbearers will be her sons-in-law and grandsons, Dale Hall, Brian Buchanan, Leonard Willett, Larry Spitzer, David Buchanan, Brett Buchanan and Marc Knight.
Memorials may be made to St. Gregory's Abbey, 1900 W. MacArthur Street, Shawnee, Okla., 74804.
George W. Hess Jr.
Shawnee resident George W. "Bill" Hess Jr. died Monday, April 23, in an Oklahoma City hospital at the age of 75.
He was born July 28, 1931, in Mena, Ark., to George W. Hess Sr. and Nan (McMillan) Hess.
He attended Bismark High School in Arkansas, Henderson State College in Arkadelphia, Ark., and The University of Oklahoma.
On Aug. 11, 1951, he married Mary Jane Shinn.
Bill was a high school social studies teacher and basketball coach. He was a member of Hazel Dell Baptist Church, Pottawatomie County Coaches Association and The Oklahoma Coaches Association. Bill loved to be with family, and he loved to garden and traveling.
Preceding him in death were his parents and one sister, Helen Ryan.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Jane Hess of the home; two sons, Michael Hess of the home and Terry Hess and wife, Debbie, of Shawnee; grandchildren, Paula and Adam Monroe of Dale, Glenn of the U.S. Navy and Emlee of Shawnee; two sisters, Betty Toombs of Midwest City and Phyllis Vaught of Mena, Ark.; one brother, Doyle Hess of Fernley, Nev.; and several nieces, nephews, other family and friends.
Service will be 2 p.m. Friday at the old Dale High School Gymnasium with Dr. Montie Campbell, the Rev. Doug Parker, and the Rev. Lee Witt officiating. Burial will be at Dale Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Hazel Dell Baptist Church Building Fund, 10702 Hwy 177, McLoud, OK 74851.
Rose Inez Brewer
Shawnee resident Rose Inez Brewer passed away Saturday, April 21, at the age of 56.
She was born Sept. 22, 1950, to Russell and Jewell Wren in Shawnee and has lived here all her life.
On May 15, 1971, she married Oscar Brewer in Macomb.
Rose was a member of Temple Baptist Church in Shawnee and enjoyed oil painting as she was known to be very artistic.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Russell and Jewell Wren.
Rose is survived by her husband, Oscar Brewer of the home; a daughter, Amber Brewer of Tecumseh; brother, Ray Wren of Shawnee; two sisters, Doris Mabry of Shawnee and Kathy Schneider of Manass, Va.; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Service will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Temple Baptist Church in Shawnee under the direction of Barnes and Johnson Funeral Home, Midwest City.
Don E. Spurgin
Shawnee resident Don E. Spurgin, 74, died Monday, April 23, in Shawnee.
He was born May 16, 1932, in Shawnee to Earnest and Callie Spurgin. Don was the youngest of seven children.
He attended high school in Shawnee and Tecumseh.
Don was married Nov. 11, 1948, in Shawnee to Gladys Williams. This union produced three sons.
He was a master machinist for more than 50 years. He dearly loved his work and left for a short time due to illness. He retired as a result of his declining health over the past few years.
During his younger years Don played football for both Shawnee and Tecumseh. He also was a golden gloves boxer. He was a former member of the Tecumseh Round-up Club.
Don's faith and love of family enriched the lives of all who knew and loved him. The birth of each new grandchild and each great-grandchild brought a renewed spirit to his own life.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother; four sisters; a sister who died in infancy; and his son, Tim and Tim's wife, Barbara.
Survivors include the love of his life, Gladys; two sons, Keith Spurgin and his wife, Jeri, Shawnee, and Steve Spurgin and his wife, Sandy, Shawnee; eight grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.
Service will be 3:30 p.m. Thursday at Bethel United Methodist Church on Hardesty Road with Pastor Chris Talley officiating. Burial will be at New Hope Cemetery in Tecumseh.
Cohen Jeremiah Davidson
Cohen Jeremiah Davidson, 1 day old son of the Rev. Andrew and Robyn Davidson, died Sunday, April 24, in Lusaka, Zambia.
Service will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the Downton Pentecostal Holiness Church. Further information is pending and will be announced by Walker Funeral Service.
