Bernice Maxine Strader

Bernice Maxine Strader passed from this life on Wednesday, June 27, 2012, at the age of 85 years, ten months and twenty three days. Bernice was born in Hominy, Oklahoma on August 4, 1926. She was the daughter of Arthur Jefferson and Neler (Morris) Spears. As a young girl Bernice was raised in Hominy where she began her education. At the completion of her schooling Bernice began helping in the war effort. She accepted employment with the Pawhuska Tent Factory until the conclusion of World War II. On February 3, 1945, Bernice was united in marriage to the love of her life Harold E. Strader. The couple soon established their initial home in Barnsdall. Following a fire destroying their home, Bernice and Harold moved to the Boston Pool and Middle Enterprise area in Osage County. Later in 1953, the couple moved their family to the Blackburn area where she continued to reside until June of 2011. At that time Bernice moved to the Cleveland Manor Nursing Home for a very short time before moving to the Cimarron Pointe Care Center in Mannford, Oklahoma. Bernice was a lady that loved to quilt, collect dolls as well as make doll clothing. She also had a collection of salt and pepper shakers from many parts of the world. Bernice also loved to work in her garden and grow beautiful flowers. One of the most important things in her life was her children and grandchildren. She loved to cook their favorite dishes and was always eager for Christmas and Thanksgiving to arrive so that she could prepare their favorite dishes. Bernice was a longtime member of the Blackburn First Baptist Church which she attended faithfully. She loved spending time reading her Bible which she read cover to cover many times. Survivors are her four sons Zane Strader and his wife Winnie of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Dale Strader and his wife Patricia of Cushing, Oklahoma, Walter Strader and his wife Glenda of Burbank, Oklahoma, Timmy Strader and his wife Wakina of Blackburn, Oklahoma; three daughters Alice Friend and her husband Craig of Belfair, Washington, Lillian Vickery and her husband Scott of Arkansas City, Kansas, Sharon D'Alessandro of Lynn, Massachusetts, two sisters Mary Pogue and Dorothy Hall both of Cleveland, Oklahoma, thirteen grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, four great great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends that will mourn her passing. In addition to her parents Bernice was preceded in death by a son Stephen Strader, daughter Donna Joan Strader, husband Harold Elwood Strader, three grandchildren Philip D'Alessandro, Michelle LeAnn Smith and Alicia DeAnn Jones. Chapel Services will be held 2:00 pm Friday, June 29, 2012 at Chapman-Black Funeral Home with Rev. Harrell Jones officiating. Burial will be held at a later date in the Blackburn Cemetery under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home.