Funeral Service for Reba Lucille (DeWitt) Dees, 86 of Cameron, Oklahoma will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, May 3, 2024 at Evans Chapel of Memories in Poteau, Oklahoma with Jim Cook officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Panama, Oklahoma under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau, Oklahoma.
Reba went to be with her Lord and savior on April 30th, 2024. She was born in Tahona, Oklahoma on August 8th, 1937 to Lonnie and Myrtle (Ward) DeWitt. She was the 4th of 10 children. Her early years were spent picking cotton and black-eyed peas with her siblings and parents. She attended school at Tahona, Poker Bend, Harper Bottoms, and Panama.
Reba was gentle and kind-hearted, always thinking of others before herself. She enjoyed quilting, tending her flowers, working in the garden and canning the fruits of her labor. Her canning shelves were always stocked and she usually had a pan of cornbread or a left-over biscuit in the cabinet. She loved flowers and plants of every kind. Later in life, as she would be driven to doctor’s appointments, she would always point out the flowers and trees that were growing on the side of the road. She had a knack for spotting the tiniest of flowers in the weeds or ditch, which most people would never even notice. She saw beauty in everything and everyone. She loved Jesus, ice cream, pancakes, animals, and children, especially her great-grandchildren. She always looked forward to the Mary-Martha Sunday school class at Panama First Baptist until she was no longer able to attend church.
Reba had a servant’s heart. She was a homemaker but dedicated most of her life to selflessly caring for others. Over the years she cared for countless family members. She was also a provider for two special ladies, both of whom she adored.
Reba was preceded in death by her husband, William L. Dees; husband, Rick Seals; husband and father of her children, Jesse Charles (Chock) McRay; her parents; sisters, Betty Self, Nadine Edwards, Florene Dees, and Oleta Helton; brothers, Tommy DeWitt Sr., and Johnny DeWitt; children, Ramona Gail Anderson, and Lonnie McRay Sr.; grandchildren, Wesley Anderson and Melanie McRay.
Survivors include her son and daughter-in-love, Gerald and Lisa McRay of Tahona, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Lonnie Jr. and wife Julie McRay of Queensland, Australia, Ivan McRay and Kaitlyn of Panama, Oklahoma, Eric and wife Jamie Anderson of Panama, Oklahoma, Joseph and wife Julie Anderson of Tahona, Oklahoma, Amanda and husband Michael Cauldwell of Skiatook, Oklahoma, Jesse and wife Kara McRay of Mustang, Oklahoma; 14 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; siblings, Doris and husband George Thomas, Dessa Pauline Dewitt and Chuck Lillis, Donnie and wife Carol DeWitt. Her bonus family includes sons and daughters, Mary Parrish, Pam and husband Ron Cole, Janet Farmer, Sharon and husband Terry Clevenger, Anthony and wife Catherine Dees; 12 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, loved ones, and her caregiver Ruby Horton.
Pallbearers will be Joe Anderson, Carson Anderson, Eric Anderson, Justin Williamson, Tim Dewitt, and Jesse McRay.
Visitation will be Thursday, May 2, 2024 from 6:00-8:00 PM at the funeral home.
You may leave an online message at www.evansandmillerfuneralhome.com.