Living

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

(Research):Bill attended Oklahoma A&M at the same time his brother Charles was there. He served in the Army from 1957 to 1978. He was a Major, and in Military Intelligence. He was stationed in Germany for many years. After his retirement, he became a regional sales manager for Motor Manual.

Obituary

William "Bill" Robert Strong passed away on March 4, 2024. Bill was the second child of Homer Strong and Anna Laura Payne born in Duncan, Oklahoma on February 20, 1934. As the second son of seven children, he had four brothers and two sisters.

Bill gained a love of music and singing from his father who sang in a Barbershop quartet throughout his childhood. He received a scholarship in music to Oklahoma State University in 1953 and helped to create the singing group called The Four Chi's as a part of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He met the love of his life Betty Wehunt on a blind date at the University. He was drafted into the Army after college in late 1957. During boot camp he married Betty in Colorado Springs on February 22, 1958. He spent 20 years in the Army and then had a 20-year career with Hearst Publishing. He enjoyed traveling, and both of his careers provided plenty of it. They lived in Europe several times and transferred to six different states while in the military. He also traveled all over the states for his job at Hearst while based in Oklahoma.

Bill was a class clown who loved one liners and corny "Dad jokes" which always made us laugh. He also had a lifelong love of dancing. No matter where we lived, he would find a restaurant with a dance floor and would dance with mom while the kids ate. He loved going out on a family vacation. While his children were young, they either went camping, boating, sailing or drove cross country to visit out-of-state relatives every summer. Later in life he and his wife would take 2 vacations a year traveling either to Europe or visiting their children across the nation. When Bill retired, he bought a home in Texas and spent his later years "snow birding" from Oklahoma to Texas with a few trips to see his children in the US or friends in England.

He was diagnosed with cancer over 10 years ago. His cancer resurfaced in 2019 and then again last year in 2023. The last reoccurrence eventually took his life after nearly a year of chemotherapy. Bill is survived by his brother Thomas Strong (wife Vicki) and his brother Paul David Strong; his son, Richard Strong; his son, John Strong (wife Kim and son Benjamin); his son, Stanley Strong (wife Ginger and daughters Kennedy, Brooklyn and Rayanna); his son, Gregory Strong (wife Cecille and son Maximillian).

Obituary published on Legacy.com by YANDA & SON FUNERAL HOME - YUKON on Mar. 12, 2024.

William married Betty Alice Wehunt on 22 Feb 1958 in Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Colorado. Betty was born on 4 Mar 1935 in Ada, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma; died on 29 Apr 2013 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma; was buried on 3 May 2013. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ada Evening News
Tuesday, June 18. 1957

Sulphur

Betty Alice Wehunt Will Teach in Denver

Miss Betty Alice Wehunt is spending the summer in the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Wehunt. Miss Wehunt, who received her bachelor's degree in education from the Oklahoma State University at Stillwater, plans to teach in Denver, Colorado next year.

Obituary

Betty Alice Strong passed away on April 29, 2013. Betty was born in Ada OK on March 4th, 1935 to Arthur and Evelyn Wehunt and spent her childhood in Sulphur OK, graduating from Sulphur High School in 1953.

At Oklahoma A&M in Stillwater OK, Betty was an active member of Kappa Delta sorority. While at A&M she met her future husband, William R "Bill" Strong on a blind date. After receiving her BA degree in Home Economics in 1957 she started her career as a school teacher in Denver, CO and she and Bill, then a member of the US Army, were married in Colorado Springs in Feb. 1958.

Together they enjoyed living around the United States (Oklahoma, Texas, California, Louisiana, Maryland and Virginia) and Germany (Berlin and Stuttgart) for over twenty years as members of the US Army, raising four sons and making many lifelong friends along the way.

She lived in the Oklahoma City area from 1978, where she has been an active member of the Putnam City Baptist Church and a Regional Manager for Hearst Business Publications for Oklahoma and the surrounding states. After her retirement in 2004 she and Bill spent winters in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas where she was also a member of the First Baptist Church.

Always an active person, her love of learning and travel continued throughout her life. She traveled extensively with family and friends all over the U.S., Europe, China and Northern Africa, and was actively planning new travel adventures with her grandchildren at the time of her passing.

She relished spending time with her five grandchildren at every opportunity. Being with them always brought her great joy.

Always elegant, always positive, her passion for life was contagious and lives on in all who knew her, and her deep love for her family and friends will forever be a cherished memory and a comfort for all the loved ones she leaves behind.

Betty is survived by her husband, Bill Strong; her sister, Lynda Wehunt Soady of Washington DC and her husband Bob Soady and son Rick Lewis; her son Richard Strong of San Francisco, CA; her son John Strong of Winston Salem, NC and his wife Kim and son Benjamin; her son Stanley Strong of Piedmont, OK and his wife Ginger and daughters Kennedy, Brooklyn and Rayanna; her son Gregory Strong of San Francisco, CA and his wife Cecilia and son Max.

The funeral service will be held at 10am Friday, May 3rd, 2013 at Mercer-Adams Funeral Service, 3925 North Asbury Avenue, Bethany, OK.

Excerpts from her eulogy, written by son Richard Strong

Good morning everyone, thanks very much for being here. Today, I'd like to share a couple of stories that Mom and I always enjoyed remembering together.

As most of you know, ours was an Army household, and while the boys were growing up we moved every three years or so to a new place. Some folks wouldn't like that type of life, but Betty saw it as an opportunity, taking full advantage of what each new place had to offer. We had the opportunity to live in Germany on two different tours, and during the first of those tours we took a family vacation to Greece.

While in Athens, we visited the Acropolis one morning, strolling around the ruins. I was pretty young, but I could see that Mom was fascinated by the history and by the setting. Now at that time on the Acropolis there were a lot of small pieces of rock and broken marble on the ground around the Parthenon. I decided to preserve the moment (or perhaps it was just boys being boys), and I reached down and picked up a hefty specimen and said "Mom, hide this in your purse!". She took the chunk of marble, looked around, smiled conspiratorially, opened her purse and nonchalantly dropped it right in.

I still have that piece of marble today. I think it's time to have it framed with a plaque that says "My Mom stole this from the steps of the Parthenon. What a gal!".

A little later that day Mom wanted to stroll around, and she and I ended up off the normal tourist path and back in a local working class neighborhood.
Well, it was lunch time, and Mom picked this small local place on the side of a busy road ? I had no idea why and truth be told I was a little uneasy. But I tell ya, the folks at this place were very friendly and more than happy to seat us, but they didn't speak any English. And there were no English menus. So, after a couple of minutes of unsuccessful menu charades the waiter motions to Mom and I to follow him. Mom is game to see what's going on so she pops right up and says let's go. I'm thinking I really have no idea what's happening here.

The waiter leads us across the busy road and inside a small building across the street. It turns out we're in a small kitchen with several large pots simmering on the stove. The waiter says something to the cook, who smiles and motions us over. He opens each of the pots so that we can see what's cooking, and Mom tells me we get to pick which one we want for lunch. Mom is having a great time, and me, I'm just trying to see whether there is anything that I can recognize in those pots.

So we both choose our main course, the waiter escorts us back across the street and then a few minutes later he treks back across the street and returns wielding a big tray with our meals. It was delicious.

Something clicked in my mind - this is kinda fun, Mom is kinda cool, I want to do this again!

That was my first lesson in how to travel, and it came directly from my Mom - appreciate the local history, show an interest in the culture, get off the beaten path and more often than not, you'll find some locals that are excited to show you around.

As I matured I grew to admire and appreciate more and more her desire to travel, and her appetite for new experiences. Because of her example, I now have many wonderful travel memories of my own.

In fact one of those memories comes from a trip that Mom and I took together.

A few years ago when my brother John and his family were living in Nanjing, China, Mom and I paid a visit. We had a wonderful time, and Mom thoroughly enjoyed all of the cultural and historical sites, as well as the local markets and restaurants that John and Kim showed us. While we were there we had lots of fabulous meals, but Mom loved recalling a story about one of our dinners in particular.

John and Kim had arranged a very nice dinner for us with their colleagues from work, and we had a grand dinner in a private room. Everything smelled and tasted wonderful, and then a special dish arrived and it was placed on the table in front of Mom. John explained to Mom that as guest of honor, as his Mom and the eldest guest, she was being given the honor of having the first bite of.... an artfully plated entr?e of...

Turtle!

John continued and told Mom that the turtle's shell, which was detached and sitting on top of the rest of the turtle entree, had been slow cooked so that you could bite into it and eat the outer layers. That's apparently where she should start.

While John was explaining this. I could see Mom's eyes getting bigger and bigger, and when it was time for her to take the first bite, she looked all around the table, her gaze finally settling on me and she said "Riiiich, I think this is something that you might like to try!"

So that's how I got my first taste of turtle, and in that one bite earned a week's worth of brownie points and saved my Mom from trying to pick up an entire turtle shell with a pair of chopsticks.

You know, after I heard of Betty's passing on Monday, that evening I sat in front of my computer and looked at hundreds of pictures that I had of her. Viewing those pictures made me realize all over again what a passion she had for living, and how much she enjoyed her time with her family and friends.

I'm certain that passion for life that she had lives on in each one of us who had the privilege to know her.

In particular, as I look around and see her grandchildren, I'm thankful that each of them got to experience her generous spirit and to know how much she loved them. I look forward to hearing about their adventures and their accomplishments and thinking about how proud Betty would be of them.

Lastly, as I look at her life, and the example she set for me personally, I know I'll always tell anyone willing to listen what a wonderful woman she was, and how proud I am to call myself her son

Notes:

Married:
The Ada Evening News
Friday, June 13, 1958 Page 7
Courtesy Compliments Bride Who Will Join Her Husband Soon in Baltimore, Maryland
Mrs. Betty Wehunt Strong, who was a member of the Denver, Colorado, public school faculty this past term, will leave soon for Baltimore, Maryland. She will join her husband who is stationed at Fort ???. A postnuptial shower was given Monday evening in Fellowship Hall of the Calvary Baptist Church, Sulphur, to honor her. Co-hostesses were Mrs. Raymond Danner, Mrs. Oscar Huffines, Mrs. Kyle Sheegog, Mrs. Louis Schepp, Mrs. C. H. Abernathy, Mrs. J. D. Niblack, Mrs. Jack Donald, Mrs. L. O. Warren, Mrs. Arnold Aaron, Mrs. Carl Goddard, Mrs. S. T Peak, Mrs. C. E. Yates, and Mrs. Roy Howeth.
Mrs. Robert Blackburn registered the guests.
The honoree, assisted by her mother, Mrs. A. R. Wehunt, and her mother-in-law, Mrs. H. R. Strong, Duncan, opened the gifts. Mrs. Pat Kubik, Duncan, cousin of the bridegroom, assisted with the ribbons. Gifts were registered by Mrs. Thurman Brogin.
The tea table was laid with a white linen cloth, centered with a three tiered white cake. A pair of crystal candelabra holding pink tapers and a crystal punch bowl complemented the table appointments. Mrs. Donald Farr, Oklahoma City, served the punch.
The guest list included?..Viola Weaver, Mrs. Eldon Pickrell, Mrs. Carl Ables, Mrs. Barl Russell, Mrs. Richard Stark, and Myrtis Gentry, all of Duncan?Mrs. Geoge Wehunt and Mrs. Lowell Wehunt, Okemah?.(approximately 100 to 150 additional names omitted from this transcription).

Notes:

Homer was born in a Leap Year's day, February 29, 1908. He used March 1 as his "official" birthday, however, so he could celebrate it each year instead of only once every four years.

He was eight when his mother died, and twelve when his father remarried. Neither Homer nor Barney were pleased with their new step-mother, Stella Crouch. They left home around 1925, and went to Portales, New Mexico, to live with their Uncle Rolla Strong. They grew enough beans and maize to feed the horses, and lived on Rolla's $17 a month pension from the Navy. They also spent sometime with their grandfather, Ralph, at his Ranch in nearby Pep.

In 1927, Homer moved back to Duncan, Oklahoma to be closer to his parents. He worked for a cotton gin. In 1929, he went to live with his Uncle Alois Soukup in Prague, Oklahoma. His Uncle died in an explosion while trying to rechannel a creek. Homer and a friend were in the creek setting the dynamite, while Alois on the bank putting in the fuses. Homer lost the hearing in one ear as a result of this explosion. After his Uncles death, he returned to Duncan. This is where he met his wife, Anna Laura at a dance. At the time of the 1930 census, he was a boarder with the Elmer Michels family in Duncan.

1930 census
Stephens Co. OK King Twp., Duncan city ED 69-28
Sheet 3A & 3B
1210 Spruce
69/70 Michels, Elmer A. and family
Strong, Homer R., boarder, MW 21 S OK US US

At the time, Homer was painting signs for Fuzzy Carter, at his sign company. Bill and Charles Strong both caddied for Fuzzy years later, when they were teenagers. Fuzzy had a sing up during WWII that said, in one continuous statement, "Quityourdamnbellyachingandbuymorewarbonds." This sign was on the side of the Palace Theatre. In 1936, Homer went to work for Coca Cola for $15 a week, painting signs. It was during the depression and work was scare. Roonie recounts that one day they simply ran out of food. Their eldest son was just an infant. Roonie said all they had in the house was one heal end of a loaf of bread. She borrowed a spoonful of syrup from their neighbor, and put that on the bread for Charles. She and Homer did without that day. Although there were many other days that food and money were very sparse, that was the only day they did totally without.

Homer was drafted in 1943, and helped train men at Fort Sill. He was discharged as a Sergeant First Class on March 15, 1949, and forever after was known by his nickname "Sarg." He was a Radio Repairman (Instructor) 8648, and eventually was in charge of the radio repair school at Fort Sill. Charles Strong notes that Homer's being drafted was what brought the family out of poverty and put them on the road to economic stability.

Homer went back to Coca Cola after the war, and then to Halliburton. He worked for Halliburton from 1951 to 1972. He was a sign painter and worked in their carpentery shop.

His military records show that he completed 8 years of Grammer School, but did not attend High School. His wife Roonie recounted that Homer was always a bit defensive about his lack of a formal education. He worked hard later in his life to make up for this. He read extensively, and took continuing education courses in subjects such as Spanish. He loved music, and had a wide collection of tapes, ranging from country and western to Spanish Flamenco to opera. Although he had no training in music, he would write out the scores of his favorite songs by listening to them over and over again, recreating them on his keyboard, and then writing them out. He also loved to do the daily crossword puzzle, in pen. After they retired, he and Roonie were able to travel to Europe, where they stayed where they visited their son Bill, who was stationed in Germany.

Homer's obituary in the Duncan, Oklahoma newspaper read as follows:

H.R. "Sarg" Strong, 82, 1806 Birch, died Wednesday, September 19, 1990, in a Duncan hospital. A Rosary will be at 7:30 pm Friday in the Don Grantham Funeral Home Chapel. Service will be at 10 am Saturday in Assumption Catholic Church with Father Paul Gillespie officiating. Burial will be in Duncan cemetery.

Mr. Strong was born March 1, 1908 in Lawton. He was retired from Halliburton Services, and a U.S. Army veteran, serving from 1943 to 1948. He was a member of Assumption Catholic Church. On October 23, 1931 (sic), he married Anna L. Payne in Waurika.

Survivors include his wife of the home; five sons, Charles Strong of Edinburg, Texas, Bill Strong of Yukon, John Strong of Duncan, Tom Strong of Phoenix, Arizona and Paul David Strong of Santa Barbara, California; two daughters, Caroline Brasher of Duncan and Theresa Rutledge of Austin; four brothers Barnie Strong of Gainesville, Texas and Bob Strong, Cecil Lewis and Jack Strong, all of Lawton; a sister Viola Weaver of Gainesville; 23 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. (Note: at the time, Homer actually had 22 grandchildren and nine great granchildren). Bearers will be grandsons.

Don Grantham Funeral Homes, Duncan, Oklahoma.

(Medical):AB Blood type

Homer married Anna Laura Payne on 23 Feb 1932 in Waurika, Jefferson County, Oklahoma. Anna (daughter of Thomas Hamilton Payne, II and Bessie Bird Gentry) was born on 23 Oct 1913 in Arthur, Parks Township, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was christened on 23 Dec 1922 in Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; died on 15 Sep 2004 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried on 18 Sep 2004 in Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Member of the Chickasaw Nation. Her father, Thomas Hamilton Payne (Original Enrollee #3686) was a Chickasaw by blood.

It is believed she was named after the popular Scottish Folk ballad, Annie Laurie. Her nickname, "Roonie" was also a product of popular culture, based on the Little Annie Rooney comic strip that ran during the depression.

Anna Laura was baptized in 1922, her sponsors being her Aunt and Uncle, Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Sparks. According to a brochure from the Church of the Assumption, Duncan, commemorating Religious Heritage Day on Sunday, June 28, 1992, "Both sides of Anna Laura (Roonie) Strong's family history intertwines in their settlement of Duncan before the 1900's. Her Uncle John and Aunt Annie Sparks O'Neil's home, presently the Phil Leonard home, was used regularly for masses before the first church was built in 1909. Roonie attended the first parochial school, "Joan of Arc", which had been built by one of the outstanding parish priests, Fr. J.A. Garvey, and run by Sisters of Divine Providence."

After their father left home, Bessie had trouble making enough money to support her family. When Anna Laura was 15, she and Fay were sent to Saint Elizabeth Academy, an Orphanage and Boarding School for Native American Girls in Purcell, Oklahoma. Anna Laura remembers the long train ride being frightening. Although the distance from Duncan to Purcell was not particulary long, it was a freight train and made numerous long stops. It was very late at night before they finally arrived, and they had long since finished the sack lunch their mother had made them. Lois joined them at the school when she was old enough. Both Anna Laura and Faye graduated from St. Elizabeth's. Lois returned to Duncan to live with Anna Laura, and she graduated from Duncan High School.

Anna Laura's graduation was on the 26 of May in 1931. Her diploma was signed by Rev. Jacques Van Castel, Sister Adelhelma, Sister Theresa and Sister Lena. The nuns were members of the Sisters of St. Francis. Sister Lena had arrived at St. Elizabeth between 1889 and 1890.

Sisters Adelhelma and Lena were from Germany. Sister Lena worked in the kitchen and Roonie had been assigned to help her. She recalls the day Sister Lena accidentally dropped her rosary while cooking and loudly proclaimed, "Mein Lord and Mein Gott! I dropped my Jesus in the Soup." Sister Lena presented this same rosary to Anna Laura as a graduation gift, in memory of the work and faith they had shared. An article about the history of this school is contained under the "research" tab of these notes.

When Roonie's children were all school age, she returned to work. She was the head cook at first the parochial school in Duncan, and later at Duncan Junior High School. She held this position for approximately 20 years.

Roonie and her sisters Fay and Lois remained close friends throughout their adult lifes, often traveling together.

The Duncan Banner, Sept. 16, 2004 Anna Laura 'Roonie' Payne Strong

Anna Laura "Roonie" Payne Strong, 90, of Duncan, died Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004, in her home. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Assumption Catholic Church with the Rev. Victor John officiating. Burial will be in Duncan City Cemetery, under direction of Don Grantham Funeral Home.

A rosary service will be held at 7 p.m. Friday in the funeral home chapel. Roonie was born Oct. 23, 1913, in Alma (sic) to Thomas H. and Bessie Gentry Payne. She married Homer Richard Strong on Oct. 23, 1931 (sic), in Waurika. He preceded her in death on Sept. 19, 1990.

Roonie was a graduate of St. Elizabeth's Academy in Purcell in 1931. She later attended Duncan Business School. She was employed by the Duncan Public School System for 28 years before retiring.

She was a member of Assumption Catholic Church, where she sang in the choir for 60 years and was a member of the Ladies' Altar Society. She was also a member of the Fatima Study Club and was a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation.

She was a wonderful homemaker, wife, mother and grandmother.

Survivors include five sons and spouses: Charles and Pat Strong of Edinburg, Texas, Bill and Betty Strong of Yukon, Tom and Vickie Strong of Laveen, Ariz., and John and Brenda Strong, and Paul David and Jane Strong, all of Duncan; a daughter, Caroline Brasher of Duncan; a sister, Lois Marie Payne Hanna of Oklahoma City; 22 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Theresa Marie Rutledge; a great-granddaughter, Alexandra Kathrine Brasher in 1994; and a sister, Fay Pierce Yeager. Bearers will be her grandsons.Memorial contributions may be made to Chisholm Trail Hospice, P.O. Box 2000, Duncan, OK 73534-2000.

(Courtesy of Lynell Cordell)

(Research):BELOW IS A TRANSCRIPTION OF AN ARTICLE ABOUT ST. ELIZABETH'S ACADEMY

A PIONEER PASSES
By Mary Jo Turner
Sunday, August 15, 1948
The Daily Oklahoman
D-Three

Purcell, Aug. 14-Historic St. Elizabeth's convent, which for 60 years played a vital part in cultural development of Indian territory and early growth and education of Oklahoma, is closing its doors September 1 for lack of funds.

Founded in February, 1888, one year before Oklahoma was opened to settlement and barely a year after Purcell was established as a junction point on the Santa Fe, it is one of Oklahoma's most famous old schools.

The spacious, roomy, two-storied frame building, set in a grassy plot with a peaceful background of slender poplars, elms and cedars, is still a thing of considerable beauty. For many years it was the only educational landmark in an unsettled area, and the sight of students playing about its grounds, supervised by the black-robed nuns, against the bright southwestern skies, has become familiar to nearly all Oklahomans who have lived here any length of time.

When St. Elizabeth's convent was founded, in 1888, Purcell was a part of the Chickasaw nation of the old Indian territory, and the gateway to the great ranching empire which lay to the west and south. The country then was all pastureland, heavily wooded and a ranch of 10,000 to 20,000 acres was commonplace. Most of the settlers were Chickasaws, but here were also Choctaw families, and a good many white settlers. All were eager to send their children to school and the news that St. Elizabeth's convent had opened in Purcell was welcomed far and wide. Families packed their children and brought them to board and room at the convent, or if there was no space there, boarded them in homes and they attended day school.

Three eager young nuns, all now dead, of the Order of St. Francis, made their way west from Philadelphia and arrived in Purcell on Feb. 14, 1888. They were the late Sister Barbara, Sister Mary Joachim and Sister Patricia. At the time there was under construction a three-room frame building on the same lot where the Benedictine priests had built a one-room church. Sunday services were conducted in the church which on week days was converted into two school rooms by hanging a heavy carpet to form a partition. In one room a Miss Fritch taught the boys, whil in the other room Sister Mary Patricia taught the girls. By November, however, the new three-room frame building was completed and enrolment consisted of 120 pupils. Ages of these pupils ranged from 6 to 18 years. Soon, there were 25 boarders, then 50. The one-room frame building was used for boys.

Money for the grounds, buildings and teachers was paid for by Miss Katherine Drexel of the wealthy Philadelphia Drexel family. She had become interested in educating the Indians through the efforts of Father Vincent Jolly, O.S.B., who taught at the Sacred Heart academy situated in unsettled wilderness in what is now Pottawatomie county. Father Jolly, accompanied by Father William Capital, took turns in coming to Purcell to hold services. Father Jolly told Miss Drexel of the Indian boys and girls who needed educational opportunities, and described the great wilderness, which pioneers were still to conquer. One church was unable to bear the expense. But Miss Drexel could and did for 60 years.

Miss Drexel furnished money for the grounds, buildings and early support, and a new building site was selected in 1891 by the Very Rev. Ignatius Jean, Benedictine priest, while Rev. F. Steven, director of the Indian bureau, gave the plans of the building to Miss Drexel. At her instigation, Archbishop Ryan of Philadelphia designated the Sisters of St. Francis of the Philadelphia Foundation, Mother House in Glen Riddle, Pa., to take charge of the mission. Miss Drexel also offered to pay of the sister's support.

In an area known as Love's pasture, named for the late Robert Love, Purcell's founder, who proved to be very helpful to the new school, ground was broken and the building erected which still stands today. On the second floor near the chapel is a bronze plaque dedicated to the founder, the late Father Vincent Jolly.

In the summers of 1889 and 1890, three more sisters, Sister Valentine, Sister Lena, and Sister Ludemiller joined the little bands of nuns and in 1891, Sister Mary Teresa, who is now the only one of the early group left, came to teach.

Sister Teresa, now the Sister Superior of St. Elizabeth's convent, is 80. She is small of stature, being only 4 feet 9 inches in height and is slender and frail. Born in Philadelphia Ja. 29, 1868, she was an only child of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Caterson, also natives of Philadelphia. In May, 1888, she took her vows at Our Lady of Angels convent at Glen Riddle, Pa., and taught one year in Wilmington, Pa. The death of her mother the next year left her free for her appointment ot the new convent in the Indian territory. On the way to the new town of Purcell, she has two companions, twos sisters who were going to the missions near Pawhuska in the Osage nation. She she came alone from St. Louis and arrived at Purcell on Sept. 4, 1891, just in time to see the ground being broken for the present site.

Government support by which the Indian girls' tuition was paid in part by the government was withdrawn in 1932......(Causing the sisters) to run the institution on practically no income except from Miss Drexel. For some time the sisters kept the girls without government aid from their own slender resources as teachers. Continued maintenance was impossible during these depressing days. This meant that the girls representing the Chickasaw, Choctaw, Cherokee and Pottawatomie tribes as well as others in all probability would be deprived of an eduation.

However, through the mediation of George C. Wells, at that time supervisor of Indian education, Oklahoma district, and Chief Dwight, chief of the Choctaw nation, a contract of 10 was received. But things have changed during the "war" years. There is a scarcity of teachers and enrollment is down. All in all, it seemed best to close the doors.

So historic St. Elizabeth is closing its doors. And good little Sister Superior Teresea will teach no more. She will take a long rest. She would like to spend the rest of her life in Purcell but will go where the church decrees.

(Medical):mtDNA Results (based on test of a child of Anna Laura PAYNE, a direct female descendant of Mary Richardson).

Your Haplogroup and mutations relative to the Cambridge Reference Sequence (CRS) are shown below. A value of CRS indicates no mutations. High resolution (HVR2) results are shown only if you have requested the mtDNAPlus or mtDNA Refine test. If you ordered a Mega mtDNA the Coding Region (CR) will be displayed below.

As you go through your mtDNA results, we strongly encourage you to read the ?u?mtDNA Results Tutorial ?/u? that we have put together in the form of frequently asked questions about mtDNA results.
HVR1 Haplogroup J

HVR1 differences from ?u?CRS
?/u?16069T
16126C
16209C
16265G
16319A

?b?Haplogroup Description?/b? J* Specific mitochondrial haplogroups are typically found in different regions of the world, and this is due to unique population histories. In the process of spreading around the world, many populations-with their special mitochondrial haplogroups-became isolated, and specific haplogroups concentrated in geographic regions. Today, we have identified certain haplogroups that originated in Africa, Europe, Asia, the islands of the Pacific, the Americas, and even particular ethnic groups. Of course, haplogroups that are specific to one region are sometimes found in another, but this is due to recent migration. The mitochondrial haplogroup J contains several sub-lineages. The original haplogroup J originated in the Near East approximately 50,000 years ago. Within Europe, sub-lineages of haplogroup J have distinct and interesting distributions. Haplogroup J* -the root lineage of haplogroup J-is found distributed throughout Europe, but at a relatively low frequency. Haplogroup J* is generally considered one of the prominent lineages that was part of the Neolithic spread of agriculture into Europe from the Near East beginning approximately 10,000 years ago.

Notes:

Married:
Marriage Record No. 10 Waurika, Jefferson County, Oklahoma Between H.R. Strong, age 23 of Duncan, Oklahoma and Anna Laura Payne age 18 of Duncan, Oklahoma. Married by J.H. Harper, County Judge in the presence of Geo. Taber of Waurika, Oklahoma and H.B. Longest of Waurika, Oklahoma