Marianna Balentine

Marianna Balentine passed from this life on Sunday, December 2, 2012 at Southern Hills Nursing Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 74 years, eleven months and twenty one days. Marianna was born December 12, 1937, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. She was the daughter of Edmond Eugene and Lorraine Campbell. Marianna grew up in Bartlesville where she graduated from high school. Following graduation Marianna was united in marriage to Kenneth Gahman. The couple established their initial home in Wichita, Kansas. Following her divorce from Kenneth in 1965, Marianna moved her family back to Bartlesville and furthered her education. She obtained her degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse and worked as a private nurse for many years. She later met Gene Balentine while working in Hominy and the couple was united in marriage in 1969. Marianna and Gene established their home in Hominy and later moved to Michigan for several years. They have also lived in Cushing, Tulsa, Sapulpa and later moved to Broken Arrow in 1994. Marianna had a passion for song writing and poetry. She was a very active part of the Tulsa Song Writers Association in the 80ís and 90ís. During that time she received song writer of the year several times from the association. In the late 1990ís, Oklahoma had a contest for a new state song. Marianna wrote a song and was one of the final two songs chosen. However, Oklahoma opted to keep and not replace the state song. Marianna also wrote a poem and donated the proceeds of the writing to help refurbish the Tulsa Driller which now stands at the Tulsa County Fair Grounds. A copy of her work is located in the time capsule inside the foot of the Tulsa Driller. She also loved to read especially mystery and fiction books by Stephen King. Marianna loved to travel with her husband Gene and family. On several occasions they visited the sites in Colorado, California, Arizona and Las Vegas. One of her favorite places to visit was her auntís home in California. Survivors are her husband Gene of the home, six children Kenneth Gahman and his wife Tess of Wichita, Kansas, Julie Dickinson of Wichita, Kansas, Shari Bougouba and her husband Ali of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Michael Patrick Gahman of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Lorie Hanock of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Eddie Balentine of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; ten grandchildren; eighteen great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. Marianna was preceded in death by her father Edmond Campbell, mother Lorraine Meador and a granddaughter Cara Bougouba. Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Thursday, December 6, 2012, at the Woodland Cemetery Chapel with Pastor David Head officiating. Burial will follow in the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home.