Jean Marie O'Kief

Jean Marie Woodard OíKief was born July 16, 1922 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. She was the daughter of J. E. and Nellie Elizabeth (Molloy) Woodard. Jean was raised in Tahlequah and attended school there, graduating from Tahlequah High School in 1939. Upon graduation from high school, Jean attended Northeastern State University where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Education. Her first teaching position was in Mound Valley where she taught drama, English, and home economics, Jean later obtained her elementary teaching certificate. On June 4, 1943 she married her college sweetheart, Forrest Otto OíKief, ìFrostyî, who was home on leave from the United States Army. She continued teaching at Mound Valley while Frosty was overseas. Upon his return he joined Jean and the teaching staff for one year. They then traveled with the Standard Pipeline for a year. Disliking the frequent moves, they settle in Sand Springs. On March 13, 1949 their daughter Frosty Jan was born. Late 1950 brought the family to Keystone where they made their home. In 1955, Jean accepted a teaching position with Mannford Public School. She taught second grade and sponsored high school organizations. Cleveland Public Schools offered Jean a teaching position in 1963, thus beginning a twenty-three year tenure. Jean continued to teach in the Cleveland School System until her retirement in 1985. In 1976, Jean was recognized as the Pawnee County Teacher of the Year. She was recognized again in 1982 by the State of Oklahoma for thirty-five years of service to the children of the State of Oklahoma. In 1982, Jean was selected as the Cleveland Citizen of the Year by the Zeta Mu Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi and honored at the annual pioneer day parade and festivities. Additionally, she was honored by the Cleveland Public School Board in 1982 for thirty-eight years of dedicated service to children upon her retirement. After her retirement, Jean remained active traveling frequently with friends and family. She enjoyed spending time each fall with her sister, Jessie Elizabeth and her husband Chandler Wilcox and visiting her daughter, Frosty Jan in Oregon. Jean was a forty-seven year member of the First Christian Church in Cleveland where she attended faithfully. She loved her church family and especially appreciated their prayers, encouragement and love. Additionally, Jean was a member of the Cleveland Hospital Auxiliary and spent countless hours donating her time to those in need at the local hospital. Jean enjoyed listening to old church hymns and also liked the Big Band sound of the forties and fifties. She was an avid reader and also enjoyed cooking. She was passionate about her love for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and was a faithful witness of his love to those she came in contact with. Jean was a lovely lady who will missed by her friends and family and the entire community of Cleveland which she called home. She is survived by her daughter, Frosty Jan OíKief-Ness of Portland, Oregon; sister, Jessie Elizabeth Woodard Wilcox of Three Rivers, California; numerous friends, relatives, former students and teachers, and especially her family at the First Christian Church.