Ola Bell Bowers

Funeral Services for Ola Bell Bowers, a longtime Terlton resident will be held on 2:00 pm Monday, September 29, 2014, at the Terlton Baptist Church with Rev. Scott Watkins, Rev. Louis Speck and Rev. Dale Gowdy officiating. Burial will follow in the Woodland Cemetery in Cleveland, Oklahoma under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home. Ola Bell was born on October 18, 1917, in Cove, Arkansas which is located in Polk County. She was the daughter of Thomas Alvie and Sarah Ann ìSallyî (Sanders) Tisher. At the age of ten, Ola Bell moved with her family to West Texas residing with her dadís sister. They soon moved to Oklahoma to the Boston Pool area. Her memories of moving to Oklahoma; were having to ride in the back of a truck with a canvas cover and so cold. Ola attended school at Boston Pool thru the eight grade and later attended Cleveland High School for two years. She was forced to leave school to help the family work and take care of her siblings. Later the family moved up the river to Riverside. While there she met Curt Carrington. The couple was united in marriage in December of 1936, and to that union there are two children Curtis and Elaine. Ola worked making shirts for piece work and Curt was employed with the WPA. In 1942, they moved to Wichita, Kansas. Ola later gained employment at Farah Grocery. In 1948, following a divorce, Ola returned to Cleveland, Oklahoma. After returning to Cleveland, Ola began working as a waitress at the Ranchero Cafe. She was introduced by the owner to Carl Florer who was a pipe fitter by trade. The two were united in marriage in October of 1950 and to that union there are two children Dallas and Carla. Ola and Carl established their home West of Terlton. Carl had served in the Navy and contracted rheumatic fever. He developed a heart condition and passed away in 1956. Following the death of Carl, Ola Bell was left with four young children. Ola continued to live on the farm raising cattle and farming the land to make a living for her family for the next six years. She also attended Cleveland High School two nights a week to earn her GED. After being out of school for so many years and having four children to take care of was no easy task to take on. In 1962, Ola was boarding horses for people and one became ill. She was referred to a gentleman Melvin ìShortyî Bowers because of his knowledge of horses. The couple was united in marriage on October 18, 1962. In 1967, Ola Bell began working at Hissom Memorial Center in the supply department. She carpooled with Dorothy Greer and later Louise Whittenburg who worked at Rader. Six years later Ola was transferred to the state office in Tulsa, where she worked in supply and child welfare. Ola Bell retired on November 30, 1984 after 23 years working for the State of Oklahoma. Ola and Shorty were married for 39 years. Shorty passed in October of 2001 and Ola continued to reside on the farm until 2008 after 55 years at the same place. She only moved down the road where she lived until July of this year. In July Ola moved to the Baptist Village. Ola had many hobbies which include quilting, flowers, working cross word puzzles and of course watching game shows on TV. Her favorite being the Wheel of Fortune and the Price is Right, you could always find her with Wertherís original candies. Ola was one of the secretaries at the First Baptist Church in Terlton for over 40 years; taking the position in 1965. Ola was very faithful to attend church every Sunday. Ola Bell was always willing to help anyone in need. You could often find her cooking something for families that were in need. She was very active and always attending local functions and willing to help and looking for what needs to be done. Ola was one of the first treasures for the Terlton Senior Citizens. When the doors were open you could find her there doing the books or helping out. Ola never thought anything about helping others. Ola was a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and lady. She was always a joy to be around. She went to all of the children and grandchildren basketball games, she was a basketball mom. Ola passed away on Friday, September 26, 2014, in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 96 years, eleven months and eight days. Survivors are her four children, Curtis "Sarge" Carrington and his wife Marie of Coweta, Oklahoma, Elaine Branham of Terlton, Oklahoma, Dallas Florer and his wife Marisol of Terlton, Oklahoma, and Carla Florer of Tulsa, Oklahoma; one brother Millard "Boge" Tisher of Cleveland, Oklahoma; two sisters Mattie Pulliam, Jean Hammond both of Cleveland, Oklahoma; eleven grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; four great great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Thomas and Sarah ìSallyî Tisher; three husbands Curtis Spurgeon Carrington, Leno Carl Florer, Melvin "Shorty" M. Bowers; three brothers Lewis Denton Tisher, Ivan S. Tisher, Raymond Tisher and a sister Ruby D. Warren.