Linda Cheryl Travis

Linda Cheryl Travis was born March 6, 1948 in Hominy, Oklahoma. She was the daughter of Vonita Louise (Allen) and Lenard H. Fox. Linda was raised in Cleveland and attended Cleveland school, graduating from Cleveland High School in 1966.

After completion of her education, Linda was married to Richard Lynn Travis on April 21, 1967 in Lawton, Oklahoma as Richard was serving in the United States Army. Upon his honorable discharge from military service, the couple returned to Cleveland in September of 1969 and established their home. The couple had two children, Cheryl Lynn and Timothy Harold. After their children had reached school age, Linda accepted employment as a secretary for a few years working for the Cleveland American, Frank Horine and Maltsberger Propane. Later she was employed as a secretary at the Pazenza Law Office for several years. In 1992, when Richard was hired by the Oklahoma Electric Cooperative in Okmulgee the couple moved there for nearly five years, returning to Cleveland before retiring on their farm near Hallett in 2002. Richard preceded her death on March 4, 2005.

Linda was a member of the Hallett, First Baptist Church and her faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is what sustained her during the loss of her husband and her illness. She often looked to her favorite scripture, Philippians 1:21: For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain, as her comfort and shield. Her philosophy of life revealed much about her character and concern for both her family and friends and her animals. She considered her favorite quote as, "I am not concerned that a man does not know of me; I am concerned that I do not know of him."

Linda considered family and the love that they express and display for each other as her most passionate life's interest. It seems that her focus, rather than on herself and illness, was ensuring that her children and grandchildren were not only prepared for her passing but would be able to understand that their love for each other, through Christ Jesus will provide them solace in this difficult time; allowing them to continue and lead productive and long lives. In addition to her children and grandchildren, her love for Margaret, Warner, Junior and C. E. meant the world to her. She especially enjoyed her bond with her father, Lenard and all the walks they used to take together.

Linda enjoyed laughter and the fun her family enjoyed together throughout the years. She recalled Cheryl pulling a fake mouse out of her Christmas stocking and Tim's experience with the talking hamburger as some of the most fun she ever had. However, the love and bond she shared with her husband, Richard was the spark that fueled her life. His guidance and caring provided her with the support she needed to get things right as she put it. Additionally, after working through her journey of grief in the loss of her husband, she truly loved assisting in the care of her father-in-law, C. E. and the animals she was able to gather to her farm.

Linda passed away on Monday, September 1, 2008 at the Southwestern Regional Medical Center, Cancer Treatment Center of America at the age of sixty. In addition to her husband, Richard, Linda was preceded in death by her mother, Louise Fox and her mother-in-law, Kitty Travis.

She is survived by her son, Tim Travis of Cleveland, Oklahoma; daughter and her husband, Cheryl and Charles Stites, of Dewey, Oklahoma; father and his wife, Lenard H. and Margaret Fox, of Cleveland, Oklahoma; six grandchildren, Deven Travis of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Justin Stites of Dewey, Oklahoma, Ashely Travis of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Scott Travis of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Amelia Stites of Dewey, Oklahoma and Abigail Stites of Dewey, Oklahoma; three sisters, Gayle Smith of Alvin, Texas, Mary Haney of Miami, Oklahoma and Betty Reed of Winchester, Kentucky; a father-in- law, C.E. Travis; Warner Fox and Junior Travis.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at First Baptist Church in Hallett with Rev. Darrell Brown officiating. Burial will be at the Bethany Cemetery in Hallett under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.