Josephine Yvonne Kerley

Josephine Yvonne (Houston) Kerley

Ringling- Funeral Services for Mrs. Josephine Yvonne (Houston) Kerley, 84, of Ringling are scheduled for 10:00 AM Saturday, July 10, 2010 at the Community Fellowship Assembly of God Church of Ringling with Rev. Jane Butler, Rev. Jim Gillum and Rev. Lenard Crogh officiating. Interment services will be held at the Ringling Memorial Cemetery Pavilion with Rev. Chad Barron officiating. Services are under the direction of Alexander Funeral Home of Ringling.

Josephine was born September 20, 1925 at the family home north of Ringling to the late James Stanley Houston and Vera Belle (Tipps) Houston. She departed this life Wednesday July 7, 2010 at Healdton.

Josephine attended school at Mountain Home High School graduating in 1944. She was Salutatorian of her class. She married Guy Edmond Kerley on Dec. 27, 1948 at Gainesville, TX. They made their home in Ringling and were married for 61 years, 6 months and 11 days. She worked at Tinker AFB during WWII. She was also employed at the Marietta Pants factory for 5years. She retired from Stromberg –Carlson after 17 years of employment. She was one of the final two employees working there when the plant closed.

Josephine sewed for the public and for her family for over 60 years. She made everything from wedding dresses, prom dresses, cheerleader suits, square dance dresses and shirts, to baby doll clothes for the grandchildren and great grandchildren and many, many items of clothing for her family. Many times Josephine did not have a pattern, or even a picture, of a requested item of clothing. The customer would describe what they wanted and she simply made it. She was well known for her sewing ability and skill.

One of Josephine’s greatest virtues was her great compassion, and kind and tender heart, which was extended to everyone she came in contact with. This great love and kindness was extended to animals as well as humans. She would not tolerate mistreatment of any kind to animals.

She attended the Community Fellowship Assembly of God Church in Ringling for many years. She was faithful as long as her health allowed. She greatly enjoyed the Deeper Life Sunday School Class.

Josephine died just as she lived, always concerned with the needs of those around her. Her whole life she gave sacrificially to her family and others who were close to her. Her greatest delight was in her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Whether she was baking coconut cream pies, goulash and fried potatoes, or everyone’s favorite dish at Thanksgiving or Christmas, she did it all with a heart full of love. She will be greatly missed by those who knew her and loved her.

Preceding her in death are her Parents , brother James David Houston, 3 Sons, Larry James Kerley- 1966, Ronnie Lee Kerley- 2000 and Guy Lynn Kerley – 2005.

Survivors include her husband Guy E. Kerley of the home, Daughter, Jolene Mullikin of Ringling, Daughter in Law, Liz Kerley Stow and husband Robert “Tiny” Stow, grandchildren, Jody Ellen O’Daniel and husband Michael Paul, Heath Kerley – Longest and wife Heather, Bonnie Rae Jackson and husband Terry , Holly Yvonne West and husband Brian. Great Grandchildren, Jessie Mikayla Black, Josey Deslynn Brooks, Karah Jo Butler-O’Daniel, Hunter Lynn Roberts, Connor and Rylee Jo Longest. Nephew Leroy Houston. Cousins Marie Sessions, Nila Jo Tipps, and Irene Rowe. Special friends, Hubert “Hub” and Eddye Gilley, Virginia Eppler and long time beautician, Jeannie Allen.

Pallbearers will be Charlie Cargile, Mark Morris, Arnie Ramon, Mitch Stanton, Mike Hudson and Terry Dale Morris. Honorary bearers will be Hubert Gilley, Troy Huggins, Joe Boswell, all of her friends and nurses at Ardmore Dialysis, Red River Transportation drivers, Jane Butler, Kay Whatley, and Anita Beebe, Bobby and Margaret Perkins, the Saturday morning Breakfast Crew and friends at JR’s Restaurant, the Deeper Life Sunday Class and the crew at Harry’s Super Foods, Cross Timbers Hospice Nurses and Aides, Michael O’Daniel, Terry Jackson, Brian West, Paulette Brightwell, CNA and Sharon Smith, RN with Mercy Memorial Hospital in Healdton.

Memorial may be made to Cross Timbers Hospice, 207 C St NW, Ardmore, OK 73401.

Family visitation will be 6-8pm Friday evening July 9, 2010 at Alexander Funeral Home in Ringling.

Condolences may be sent online to www.alexanderfuneralhome.org