Obituaries

Gerald Lee “Rock” Vannoy was born July 25, 1934, in Maud, to the late Ernest and Retha (Sartain) Vannoy. He passed from this life on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Ardmore, at the age of 89 years, 9 months and 12 days. Gerald and the former Ms. Anna E. Sekavec were united in marriage on September 29, 1956, in Ardmore. She preceded him in death on May 10, 2010.

Services for Randy Dennis Sluder will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 17, 2024, at the Central Church Fellowship of Believers, 45 Shepherd of the Hills Rd, Sulphur, with Brother Thomas J. Thompson officiating.

Funeral services for Tara Nicole Lancaster will be held 2:00 p.m., Thursday, May 9, 2024, at the Pentecostal Holiness Church, in Sulphur, with Pastor Lance Bonner officiating. Interment will follow at the Oaklawn Cemetery in Sulphur. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday evening, May 8, from 5-7:00pm, at Hale’s Funeral Home, in Sulphur.

Marshall McMurtry, 79, of Chandler, TX, passed away on April 23, 2024. Born on April 10, 1945, in Buffalo, NY, to the late Forrest and Lois McMurtry, he was a pillar of love and strength in his community.

Martin Carl Easley was born June 16,1950, in Wynnewood, to the late Cecil Martin and Ruby Jewell (Sise) Easley. He died on Thursday, April 18, in Davis, at the age of 73.

Ronda G. Moore, 85, born December 28,1938 in Sulphur, to Roy and Audrey Jaynes passed away on April 23,2024 following a battle with Alzheimer’s.

Debra Jean Smith, a resident of Sulphur, was born on June 20,1952 in Oklahoma City, to Elton William and Marie L. (Minchew) Smith. She passed away on Wednesday, April 24,2024 in Sulphur at the age of 71 years, 10 months and 4 days. Debra grew up in Oklahoma City, graduating from Southeast High School. She moved to Sulphur where she worked at Sooner Foods for many years before going to work at Oklahoma School for the Deaf in kitchen management. Debra was a member of the First Freewill Baptist Church in Sulphur.

Sheila Annette Hilliard-Goodman was born November 29, 1960, in Sulphur, to Joe D. and Mary J. (Cowell) Hilliard. She died Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Sulphur, from injuries sustained during a tornado.

Sylviene was born September 27,1929, in Sulphur, to the late Jack and Alice Petty. She died Monday April 30, 2024, in Sulphur, at the age of 94 years, 7 months and 3 days. Sylviene and Leonard Houston “Pete” Runyan were married on Aug 17, 1947, in Gainesville, TX. He preceded her in death on December 5, 2014.

Joyce Nell Kellogg Reed went to her heavenly home to dance again with her high school sweetheart (Husband) Paul on Saturday, April 20, 2024.

“Mel” William Melton Taylor, born December 7, 1964, passed from this life to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, with the love of his life, wife Susan by his side.

Leah Estelle Brothers was born on July 10, 1927, in Bristow, to William Jasper and Geneva Estella Scott. She grew up in Sulphur, attended Oklahoma State University and achieved a bachelor’s degree in education. She met a charming man in college, Gilbert Brothers, and married him on December 19, 1947. Leah went on to have four boys.