Patsy Ruth Casey

Patsy Ruth Casey was born July 30, 1928 in Henrietta, Oklahoma; the daughter of Paul Jones and Ester Myra (Vetters) Stephenson. She was raised and attended school in Henrietta. Upon completion of her education, Pat resided mostly in Oklahoma and Colorado where she met the love of her life, Russell H. Casey. The couple was married on June 25, 1960 in Greeley, Colorado where they made their home for nearly eighteen years before moving to Oklahoma. After Russellís retirement from Gates Rubber in 1978, the couple moved to Hill N Dale, near Cleveland, Oklahoma on Keystone Lake. After realizing that retirement did not keep the couple business enough, they accepted employment as managers of the Red Ball Store, near Bear Creek, south of Cleveland. They operated the store together for nearly ten years, making friends with people throughout the area. They literally adopted nearly every child that came to the store as their second grandchildren as they truly loved children. In 1999, the couple moved to Cleveland, Oklahoma upon their retirement from managing the convenience store. Russell preceded her in death on November 30, 2002. Although Pat worked alongside of Russell managing the Red Ball Store, her true calling was that of a homemaker, wife and mother. She dedicated her life to providing a loving and caring home for her husband, children and grandchildren. She was completely devoted to her family including her siblings. Pat was described as a strong willed, honest and fun-loving woman with a humorous and sometimes ornery personality. She never accepted anything but the best of herself and those around her. She was often quoted as saying, ìCanít is a coward, canít is a hero.î In addition to the love and devotion she displayed to her family, she was also an excellent cook; some of her top recipes included beef burgundy with egg noodles, fried potatoes and brown beans, she began each holiday season in early November, preparing for meals and candy for Thanksgiving and Christmas. She provided the mailman, paperboy and all of Russellís co-workers with every type of candy and sweets including stacks of fruit cakes, lemon bars, peanut bridle, fudge, and divinity; just to mention a few. Pat was considered by her children and grandchildren as the June Clever without the high heels and glamour. She never missed on of her childrenís school or sporting events; was always involved in the Parent Teacherís Association and was always in the mix of everything. Additionally she maintained the family budget and finances. After Russellís retirement, Pat begrudgingly shared the kitchen with him. Pat passed away on Saturday, May 30, 2009 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of eighty years. In addition to her husband, Pat was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Frankie Joe Barnes; a grandson Michael Silver, two brothers Paul Evelyn Stephenson, Walter Stephenson. Survivors are her two sons, Shawn Casey of Maryland; Mike Lockhart; two daughter, Karen Ledbetter, Tulsa, Oklahoma; Linda Smith of Tulsa, Oklahoma, three sisters Charlotte Cornelius of San Antonio, Texas, Wanda Deems of Owasso, Oklahoma, Jane Thompson of Tennessee; two brothers Billy Joe Stephenson of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, James Stephenson of Richfield, Minnesota; six grandchildren, Casey Lee Barbour and Riley Ledbetter, both of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Dalton James Casey and Aubrey Rose Casey both of Maryland, Marcus Silver of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Kate Webster of Owasso, Oklahoma; eight great-grandchildren, Erasen Eshelman, Demarko Barbour, Taysha Barbour, Alexis Ridenour, Emma Ridenour, Kayla Silver, Valerie Silver, Michael J. Silver; one great greatgrandson Ethan Silver. She was preceded in death by father Paul Jones Stephenson, mother Esther Myra Stephenson(Vetters), husband Russell Hansen Casey, one son deceased Frankie Joe Barnes, one grandson Michael Silver, two brothers Paul Evelyn Stephenson, Walter Stephenson. Chapel Services will be held 2:00 pm Thursday, June 4, 2009 at Chapman-Black Funeral Home with Gene Black officiating. Burial was in the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home.