Hazel Lucille (Lu) Vierling, 80, of Checotah, peacefully passed away at home on Saturday, February 8, 2025. She was born Monday, July 24, 1944, in Checotah to Arley Lee Strome, Sr. and Florence Marie Stephens. She shared an amazing 62-year marriage with Johnnie Vierling. A 65-year-old true love story from the first day they met. Her life was a beautiful reflection of her love to her family.
Lu was a devoted licensed nurse for 58 years. She loved being a nurse and being able to care for patients. She started her nursing career in Caney, Kansas, with Dr. Robert Moore, M.D., and continued her career in Oklahoma with a combination of working at the Payne & Rice Clinic, Muskogee General Hospital, Green Country Home Health Care and private home care. But her most treasured time was when she worked for both Dr. Maurice Payne, D.O. and Dr. John F. Rice, D.O., at the Payne & Rice Clinic in Checotah for 27 years, where she developed lifelong friendships.
Some of Lu’s favorite pastimes included spending time with her family, cooking, playing games, watching her favorite sports teams and traveling.
Lu absolutely loved to cook, and she didn’t let a person come into the house without her offering to “let me just whip you up something, really quick!” She was famous for her pecan pies. Her extremely fun competitive side came out when playing dice, cards, and board games with her family and friends. Lu always looked forward to the annual Branson trip during Thanksgiving. She enjoyed watching her favorite sports teams, OU Sooners July 24, 1944 – February 8, 2025
and the Texas Rangers. Lu was, also, an avid Elvis Presley fan.
She is survived by her loving husband, Johnnie A. Vierling of Checotah, one daughter Jill Vierling-Adams and husband J. Karter Adams of Mansfield, Texas, one grandson Tyler Rotenberry, of Benbrook, Texas, God-children Hilary Cole of Moore and Jonathan Rice of Franklin, Ind. one brother Arley L. Strome, Jr. and wife Becky of Checotah, one sister Kathy Askins of Copan, along with many nieces, nephews and dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Arley Lee Strome, Sr. and Florence Marie Stephens, her brothers Warren Buie and Owen (Winkie) Strome and sister Virginia Rose.
A celebration of life service will be held at Checotah First United Methodist Church, 419 W Gentry Ave. in Checotah, on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 1 p.m., with Pastor Mark Watson officiating. Following the celebration of Lu’s life, a reception will be held in the Memorial Hall.
In lieu of flowers or plants, to honor Lu’s generous nature, a donation to one of her favorite charities would be appreciated: American Diabetes Association, St. Jude’s Cancer Research and the American Heart Association.
Arrangements were entrusted to Gary Kelley’s Add’Vantage Funeral & Cremation Service of Tulsa.
