special_image
Login Subscribe Advertisers
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinion
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinion
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Lura Frances Wilson
Obituaries
February 28, 2023
Lura Frances Wilson

Our dear mother, Lura Frances Wilson, 95 and formerly of Okmulgee, passed away Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at Trinity Woods Health Center in Tulsa. The family will receive friends for a viewing from 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 3, at McClendon- Winters Funeral Home in Okmulgee. A celebration of her life service is scheduled for Saturday, March 4, at First Baptist Church in Okmulgee. A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. at Oakdale Cemetery in Paden.

To the world, Lura Wilson was only one person, but to those of us who knew her, Lura WAS our world. She was our mother, our grandmother (and great grandmother), our friend, our inspiration, and our guiding light. She always took the time to really listen to us and share our joys or concerns. She was the true matriarch of the Wilson family, in every sense of the word.

A professional educator for 40 years, Lura taught us much more than just our ABCs … her entire life was dedicated to teaching her family to be open minded and accepting of all people, of being generous and kind no matter what the situation, and on having faith in a loving God. She had an amazing ability to make a real connection with all kinds of people, whether it was a young child learning to read, friends from school or church, dozens of nieces and nephews who considered her their favorite aunt, or the nurses and caregivers who helped her during her last few years of life. She didn’t hesitate to speak up when she thought something was wrong and needed corrected, especially when it came to the way teachers were treated in Oklahoma. She spent many hours advocating for increased spending for education in Oklahoma and for paying teachers a living wage. Teachers throughout Oklahoma can thank Lura for her part in having their health insurance paid by the state. She lobbied legislators, marched on the state capital with other OEA members, and worked tirelessly for years. Shortly after her retirement, her goal was achieved, and she celebrated what this meant for future generations even though she never benefitted from having paid insurance herself. She was respected by four generations of Wilsons for her wisdom, her courage, and her unerring ability to find joy in life.

Born on Nov. 1, 1927, in Fillmore to Eliga Bonaparte and Tooly Whittle Dupree, Lura and her four siblings quickly learned the importance of family and hard work and the value of an education. As a fifth grader in Fillmore Elementary School, she was inspired by a wonderful teacher and began to feel the tug of what would be her calling as well. Lura obtained an associates degree from Murray State College and then attended Oklahoma State University for one year. She married Tommy Wilson from Paden on March 11, 1949. Paula was born in 1950, followed by Tommy (Wayne) in 1954, Susan in 1955 and Greg in 1959. Lura was able to juggle diapers and childcare while completing her education, and she graduated from Southeastern State University in Durant in 1955. She taught first through eighth grades November 1, 1927 – February 21, 2023

in Fillmore, Macawber, Panama and Barnsdall. After retiring in 1991, Tommy and Lura moved to Okmulgee. Tommy died in 2012, and Lura moved to Tulsa in 2018 shortly after celebrating her 90th birthday. Even during the final three and a half years when she lived in Trinity Woods nursing home, Lura did her best to start each day on a positive note and to greet her caregivers with appreciation. Her room was often filled with visits from her extended family.

A lifelong Baptist, Lura was an active member of the churches in the communities in which she lived, most recently The First Baptist Church in Okmulgee. She was active in the Oklahoma Educators Association, serving as president of the LeFlore County OEA and as president of the Oklahoma Retired Educators Association in 2000-01. She received the Most Important Member award and the Kate Frank award for outstanding and significant service in advancing the cause of member welfare, rights, and professionalism. She was a charter member and officer of the Beta Lambda chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, a women teachers society; a member of the Oklahoma Reading Council and the International Reading Association; Democrat precinct co-chair of LeFlore County and delegate to several state Democratic conventions.

Lura was preceded in death by her parents, Eliga and Tooly Dupree; three sisters: Almeda “Bug” Sliger and husband, Calvin, Florence Armstrong and husband, Elmer, and Leota Schroeder and husband Al. She had one brother, Leroy “Bo” DuPree, and wife, Maxine, as well as three sisters-inlaw, Hazel Willingham and husband, Chester, Jane Case and husband, Corvette, and Billy Orr and husband, Hardy. She had one brotherin- law, LTC Lloyd Wilson and wife, Fran, and nieces, nephews, and many beloved friends.

She is survived by her four children: Paula Bailey and partner, Denise York of Edmond; Tommy Wayne Wilson and wife, Loretta, of Broken Bow; Susan Miller of Tulsa; and Greg Wilson and wife, Lori, of Poteau. Grandchildren include Crystal Walker and husband, Robert, of Tulsa; Angela Lindly and husband, Brandon of DeQueen, Ark.; Pam Hunt and husband, Joe, of Richardson, Texas; Drs. Brock Wilson and wife, Amy, of Ft. Smith, Alaska.; Beth Todd and husband, Will, of Keller, Texas; Kyle Wilson and wife, Ashley, of Lavaca, Ark.; and Dylan Miller and wife, Danielle, of Orlando, Fla., as well as 15 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, other family and friends.

The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to the nurses and aides of Chapman Heights for the outstanding love and care they have consistently given our mother.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the OSU Foundation. Checks should be payable to the OSU Foundation and mailed to PO Box 1749, Stillwater, OK 74076-1749 or gifts can be made online at Giving (osugiving.com) Please note your donation is in memory of Lura F. Wilson.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Mc-Clendon-Winters Funeral Home of Okmulgee. Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on Lura’s tribute page at www.mcclendon-winters. com.

Excitement builds for day of family fun at Nichols Park
A: Main
Excitement builds for day of family fun at Nichols Park
July 9, 2025
Nichols Park in Henryetta is the place to be this Saturday, July 12, as the community comes together for a jam-packed day of summer fun and celebration. With events running all day and culminating in ...
this is a test
New district deputies announced
A: Main, Main...
New district deputies announced
July 9, 2025
The Okmulgee County Board of Commissioners met Monday in their regular meeting to cover several agenda items including recognizing dedicated staff members for their continued service.Commissioners too...
this is a test
A: Main
PSO warns area residents of fraudulent utility calls
July 9, 2025
Residents in the Okmulgee area are being warned of a scam involving fraudulent calls, emails and even in-person visits from individuals posing as representatives of Public Service Company of Oklahoma ...
this is a test
Fireworks Light Up the Night
A: Main
Fireworks Light Up the Night
July 9, 2025
It was the perfect end to a fun day and the start to a long weekend, as citizens enjoyed the annual Okmulgee Fireworks Extravaganza at Okmulgee Municipal Park Friday, with lots of food, music and fun....
this is a test
Donation Made to OEF
A: Main
Donation Made to OEF
July 9, 2025
Okmulgee School Board member Keith Baldridge is pictured with Okmulgee Education Foundation President Margaret Hess, presenting a check for his remaining campaign funds. Baldridge was elected in April...
this is a test
Homemade Food Freedom Act Workshop coming to Okmulgee
News
Homemade Food Freedom Act Workshop coming to Okmulgee
July 9, 2025
Aspiring home food producers in Okmulgee and surrounding areas will have the opportunity to take part in a vital training session this summer as part of the 2025 Homemade Food Freedom Act Workshop ser...
this is a test
e-Edition
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
An Early Independence Day Celebration
News
An Early Independence Day Celebration
July 9, 2025
The wet weather didn’t stop the Okmulgee County Criminal Justice Authority from holding their annual July 4th Cookout last Thursday, July 3, as they invited county employees and community members to j...
this is a test
News
Community Garden parking lot sale is this weekend
July 9, 2025
The Okmulgee County Community Garden is holding its second annual parking lot sale Friday and Saturday, July 11 and 12. It takes place in the parking lot between the garden and the Okmulgee County Hea...
this is a test
Oklahoma’s eviction timeline among the fastest in the nation
News
Oklahoma’s eviction timeline among the fastest in the nation
July 9, 2025
Oklahoma’s eviction laws are among the most lenient in the nation.With the sixth-highest rate of evictions in the United States, Oklahoma evicts tenants at a significantly faster rate than most of the...
this is a test
News
Local students named to UCO honor rolls
July 9, 2025
The University of Central Oklahoma recently announced the students named to the university’s honor rolls; a distinction given to those who achieve the highest academic standards. For the spring 2025 s...
this is a test
News
Alternatives to guardianship offered
July 9, 2025
Oklahoma Human Services recently debuted a new website - Guardianship and Alternative Options, to equip Oklahoma families, people with disabilities and professionals in the caregiving field with essen...
this is a test
Facebook
Video

OKMULGEE TIMES
320 W. 6th
Okmulgee, OK 74447

918.756.3600

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2022 Okmulgee Times

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy