The Duncan Banner

Breaking News

Obituaries

January 5, 2013

Myra Ann Spurgin Berry

Jan. 3, 12013

The Duncan Banner

WAURIKA — Surrounded by her family, Myra Ann Spurgin Berry passed into eternity Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, in an Oklahoma City hospital.

Funeral services for Mrs. Berry will be 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7, at the Waurika United Methodist Church with the Rev. Karen Slater and the Rev. David Daniel officiating. Burial will follow in the Rose Dale Cemetery in Ada.

Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Dudley Funeral Home with the family visitation being from 3to 5 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Myra Berry Memorial Scholarship Fund or the Waurika United Methodist Church. Condolence messages may be sent to the family at www.dudleyfuneralhomes.com.

Myra was a teacher to the fullest extent of the word. Mrs. B. was loved and remembered by her students because of her love for them and her high demands of each and every one of them. She spent her whole career in the Waurika school system, teaching elementary music; third grade; for the majority of her career, middle school English. For 25 years, Myra was THE true-blue Waurika Eagle. It was in Waurika that she met and married the love of her life, Jack.

They were married July 19, 1974. Courtney was born in 1977. Her life and accomplishments have been the major source of happiness and pride in her parents’ lives.

Myra and Jack had moved to Ada two years ago where they had a blast with Courtney, husband, Bryan, and grandchildren: Mackenzie, Tyler and Logan. That brief time was spent watching soccer games, basketball games, cross-country runs, music recitals and laughing. Myra was always there to support her grandchildren and always ready to brag on them.

She battled health problems her entire life. She fought seemingly countless illnesses and conditions, including the brain aneurysm that ultimately forced her to retire from her beloved classroom. She was the toughest person any of us have ever known. She has always fought valiantly but lost the earthly battle, yet won the ultimate prize — Heaven.

She grew up in Velma and made lifelong pals in her 1968 Velma-Alma graduating class. Those friends remain true today. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science from East Central in 1973. There she was active in the Drama Department and was a highly touted member of the dramatic honor fraternity Alpha Psi Omega. She and her gal pals were infamous in their pranks in Briles Hall.

She received her Masters of Education from East Central in 1980. Mrs. B. was an incredibly knowledgeable and empathetic teacher, receiving several teaching awards over the years. She has been a loving and active member of the Waurika United Methodist Church for more than 38 years.

Myra loved all her family with a love that was more than love.

She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Jack of the home; daughter, Dr. Courtney Bratton; son-in-law, Dr. Bryan Bratton; and her three grandchildren, who she “loved to the moon and back”: Mackenzie, Tyler and Logan.

Surviving her as well are her mother, Cleo Spurgin of Velma; siblings Myrna Sam (Steve) of Fort Worth, Texas, Paula Crawford (Steven) of Fitzhugh, and David Spurgin (Renee) of Velma; sister-in-law Donna Payne of Florence, Ala.; cousins: Judi Bennett of Hurst, Texas, Lavana Turnbow, Boardcamp, Ark.; and uncle, Monte Spurgin of Duncan.

She had several nieces and nephews on whom she absolutely doted . . . along with a never-ending huge circle of pals and friends.

She was preceded in death by her daddy, Loray Spurgin; her in-laws, B.C. and Dorothy Berry; her grandparents: Roy and Dovie Spurgin, and Leslie and Lela Dunn; and her brother-in-law, Charlie Payne.

Her family, friends, co-workers and students have long recognized her as the world’s greatest wit. This lady made pranking and joking an art form.

She loved traveling with family and friends . . . and laughing.

She loved all activities with her grandchildren . . . and laughing.

She loved cheering for the Sooner (especially when they beat OSU) . . . and laughing.

She loved her church and singing in its choir . . . and laughing.

Myra's life was about giving and receiving love. Her life is best described in the 13th chapter of First Corinthians. Myra Berry — a life of love and laughter.

Text Only
Obituaries
  • 5-22 Obit Barbara McCartney.jpg Barbara Adrian McCartney

    Barbara Adrian McCartney was welcomed in the Kingdom of Heaven, Tuesday, May 14, 2013. A memorial potluck dinner will be held in Barbara’s honor for family and friends at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 25 at the Velma Baptist Church Life Center. Everyone is encouraged to bring a covered dish and a dessert and help celebrate the life of Barbara McCartney.

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • Maureen McClelland Pruett

    Maureen McClelland Pruett, 82, former resident of Duncan, passed away Tuesday, May 21, 2013, in Oklahoma City.

    May 21, 2013

  • Billie Jean (Pollard) Long
    Billie Jean (Pollard) Long, 80, of Marlow passed away May 19, 2013, at her home in Marlow.
    A celebration of her life will occur at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 22 at the First Baptist Church chapel in Marlow. Chaplain Tracy Wilson and Pastor Joe Ligon will preside. Callaway-Smith-Cobb Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

    May 21, 2013

  • Sharon Kaye Peavler Sharon Kaye Peavler
    Sharon Kaye Peavler, 67, of Velma passed away on Sunday, May 19, 2013, at her home in Velma.
    Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 22 at New Velma Cemetery with the Rev. Cody Deevers officiating. Burial is under the direction of the Don Grantham Funeral Home.

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • Leonor Cruz Delos Santos Leonor Cruz Delos Santos
    Leonor Cruz Delos Santos, 86, of Duncan passed away Saturday, May 18, 2013, at Meridian Nursing Home.
    Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 22 at Assumption Catholic Church with Rev. Peter Jandaczek officiating. Interment will be at Duncan Cemetery, arrangements are under the direction of Carter-Smart Funeral.

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • Curtis Franklin Sherman Curtis Franklin Sherman
    Curtis Franklin Sherman was born Jan. 25, 1933, in Rock Creek, Oklahoma, to Carl Franklin and Ruby Mae Sutton Sherman. He defeated a long battle with cancer when he entered the gates of Heaven on May 19, 2013. 
    Curtis proudly served his country as a member of the United States Navy earning the rank of Electrician II Class. He served during the Korean War from 1951-55 on the US Battleship St. Paul.

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • Nancy J. Breesawitz Nancy J. Breesawitz
    Nancy J. Breesawitz, 65, of Duncan passed away Sunday, May 19, 2013, peacefully at home with her son Carl by her side, after a long battle with a brain tumor.
    Graveside services will be 9 a.m. Thursday, May 23 in the Duncan Cemetery with Pastor Jackson officiating.
     

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • Richard “Rick” D. Pickle Richard “Rick” D. Pickle
    Richard “Rick” D. Pickle, 61, passed away at his home in Pottsboro, Texas on Saturday, May 18, 2013.
    Visitation will be from 6-7 p.m. today at Johnson-Moore Pottsboro Chapel, 511 W. Hwy 120, Pottsboro. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 22 at Pottsboro Church of Christ, 522 W. Hwy 120, with Brother Gregg Knight will officiating. Burial will be 3 p.m. in Fairlawn Cemetery in Comanche.

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • Funerals today in Stephens County

    Funerals today in Stephens County

    May 20, 2013

  • Delos Santos

    Delos Santos  85, of  Duncan passed away Saturday May 18, 2013, at Meridian Nursing Center. Services are pending with Carter- Smart  Funeral Home.

    May 19, 2013