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The Rev. Victor William Roberts, O.S.B.
The Rev. Victor William Roberts, O.S.B., died Sunday at St. Gregory's Abbey after battling cancer. He was 59.
Father Victor was born William Michael Roberts on Feb. 22, 1942, in Oklahoma City to E.L. and Anna (Couglin) Roberts.
He attended grade school in Ada and studied at St. Gregory's High School. In 1962, he received his associate degree from St. Gregory's College and entered the novitiate of St. Gregory's Abbey.
He made his first monastic profession on June 24, 1963, followed in 1966 by his solemn monastic profession.
Father Victor received his bachelor's degree in philosophy from St. John's University, Collegeville, Minn., in 1965. His theological studies were at the University of Ottawa, Canada, where he received an S.T.L. and a master's degree in theology in 1969.
Several articles developed from his master's thesis on St. Anselm of Canterbury were published in the American Benedictine Review.
He was ordained to the priesthood on May 24, 1969, in Ada.
Father Victor pursued graduate studies in philosophy at Fordham University, New York City, where he received a master's of arts degree in 1971 and a doctorate in 1973.
He then returned to Shawnee and began his 28-year career as a teacher of religion and philosophy at St. Gregory's College. He also served as a residence hall adviser and chairman of the Division of Humanities.
In 1977, he assumed the role of academic dean at St. Gregory's College, and later vice president for academic affairs at St. Gregory's University in which he served until 2000 overseeing the growth of the academic programs from associate degree level to the baccalaureate.
Father Victor helped to establish honor societies at both the associate degree and bachelor's degree levels. In his early years, he played golf and tennis and served as athletic director of the university during the last year of his life.
Survivors include the monks of St. Gregory's Abbey; his mother, Ann Roberts, Ada; four sisters and their husbands, Tish and Dale Hall, Plano, Texas; Peggy and Brian Buchanon, Lufkin, Texas; Mary Sue and Larry Spitzer, Lewisville, Texas; and Judy and Lynn Willett, Lufkin.
The reception of Father Victor's body will be 11:45 a.m. today at St. Gregory's Abbey. Vigils service will be 7 p.m. today at the Abbey Chapel. Mass of Christian burial will be 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Abbey Chapel. Principal celebrant will be Abbott Martin Lugo, O.S.B. Burial will be in St. Gregory's Abbey Cemetery under the direction of Roesch-Walker Funeral Chapel.
Memorials may be made to St. Gregory's University for a scholarship fund.
M.H. Woodard
Services for M.H. Woodard, 80, Tulsa, are 11 a.m. Friday at the Greenwood Cultural Center, 322 N. Greenwood, Tulsa. Burial will follow in Booker Cemetery, Davenport.
Woodard died April 12 in Tulsa.
He was born June 3, 1920, in Chandler to Alexander and Minnie (Cooper) Woodard. He lived in the Tulsa area and worked as an interior designer for several years before his death.
He served in the U.S. Army during WWII.
He and Connie Roberson were married Nov. 28, 1941, in Tulsa.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, five brothers and five sisters.
Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Cornell and Katherine Woodard, Tulsa; two daughters and sons-in-law, Marionette and Donald Gibson, Oklahoma City, Alfre and Roderick Spencer, Santa Monica, Calif.; one sister, Doll Moss, Tulsa; 11 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and other relatives and friends.
Parks Brothers Funeral Service, Chandler, is in charge of arrangements.
Vera Maye Fain
Vera Maye Fain of Shawnee died Monday at a Midwest City hospital. She was 70.
Services are pending under the direction of Gaskill-Owens Funeral Chapel.
Elmer Webb
Elmer Webb died Monday at his Shawnee home. He was 88.
Services are pending under the direction of Gaskill-Owens Funeral Chapel.
Anna Marie Johnson
Anna Marie Johnson of Ardmore died Thursday in an Ardmore hospital. She was 82.
Survivors include three daughters and sons-in-law, Lerlene and Archie Hill, Shawnee; Freddye and Orin Allen, Pittsburg, Calif.; Andrea and Theodore Haynes, Orlando, Fla.; daughter, Marva Ann Johnson, of the home; nephew whom she raised, Rollie Hill, and his wife, Barbara; 14 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, M.G. Johnson, and daughter, Sue Ella Johnson.
Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at the Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, Ardmore, under the direction of Ragsdale-Grant Funeral Home, Ardmore.
Clifton Burl Davis
Clifton Burl "Clif" Davis of Prague died Saturday at his home. He was 74.
Davis was born March 1, 1927, in Guymon to Ernest and Sylvia (Reece) Kerr. He had lived in Prague since 1992, moving from California.
He was a truck driver and musician and was of the Baptist faith.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his sons and daughters-in-law, Clifton and Joyce Davis Jr., Booker, Texas; Dennis and Andrea Davis, Pampa, Texas; Gary and Kay Davis, Mineral Wells, Texas; daughter, Renie Kasia, Guymon; brother, Andy Davis, Riverside, Calif.; sister, Muriel Kennon, Mission Viejo, Calif.; 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.
Private family services will be held at a later date. Viewing and visitation will be 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. today at Parks Brothers Funeral Service, Prague.
Virginia Lee Howeth
Virginia Lee Howeth of Shawnee died Sunday at her home. She was 64.
Mrs. Howeth was born March 25, 1937, in Muskogee to M.A. and Mary Holland. She married Cecil Howeth on June 26, 1955, in Sulphur.
She moved to Sulphur in 1953, then to Tonkowa. In 1999, she moved to Shawnee.
Survivors include her husband, Cecil Howeth, of the home; three daughters, Pamela Smothermon, Edmond; Laura Sperry, Pueblo, Colo.; Kendall Grein, Shawnee; one grandchild; her mother, Mary Holland, Sulphur; two brothers, Bill Holland, Burke, Va.; Gary Holland, Kissimmee, Fla.; sister, Linda Cotter, Safford, Ariz.; and many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, M.A. Holland.
Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Cowley-Krien Funeral Home Chapel, Sulphur, with the Rev. Brad Ransom officiating. Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery, Sulphur.
Verna May Hembree
Verna May Hembree of Tecumseh died Monday in Tecumseh. She was 90.
Mrs. Hembree was born July 28, 1910, in Ozark, Ark., to Joe and Mary (Bohanan) Higgins. She attended Maud Schools and had lived in the Shawnee area for many years.
On Oct. 19, 1928, she married Walker Hembree in Tecumseh.
A homemaker, she and her husband also owned a real estate company, a used car business and a construction company.
She was a member of the Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her husband on Aug. 24, 1985, her parents and a son, Robert Walker Hembree, on July 29, 1986.
Survivors include four daughters and two sons-in-law, Delora and John Moore, Moore; Lola and Don Duvall, Shawnee; Dorothy Chambless, El Reno; Carolyn Gregory, Oklahoma City; son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Barbara Hembree, Shawnee; 23 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Cooper Funeral Home with Bob Anderson officiating. Burial will be in Tecumseh Cemetery.
Robert W. Horner Jr.
Robert W. Horner Jr., 68, died Sunday at Purcell Municipal Hospital.
He was born May 8, 1932, to Robert W. and Opal Hollaway Horner in Byars. He lived most of his life and attended school in the Wanette area.
On June 4, 1956, he married Helen Thompson in Ada.
Horner served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He worked for the National Guard as a security guard, retiring in 1985.
Preceding him in death were his parents; two sisters, Louise Lightner and Marlene Reel; his mother-in-law, Medie Thompson; son, Earnie Horner; and several brothers-in-law.
Survivors include his wife, of the home; four sons, Robert Lee Horner of Ada, Terry Horner of Wanette, Tim Horner of Tecumseh, and Billy Horner of the home; two daughters, Pam Penner of Lexington and Helen Singleton of Tecumseh; six sisters, Tommie VanSchuyver of Slaughterville, Edith Nail of Tecumseh, Midge Lightner of Eureka, Calif., May Robinson of Eufaula, Julie Booth of Meeker, and Narvel Thompson of Muskogee; 13 grandchildren and other relatives and friends.
Graveside service will be 2 p.m. today at Wanette Cemetery. Russell Newville will officiate. Arrangements are under the direction of Wadley's Funeral Service, Purcell.
