Velma Freise-Sikes

Velma Lyle (Morris) Freise Sikes was born in Tuttle, Oklahoma on October 2, 1913. She was the daughter of James N. and Irene Morris. She was raised in Amber, Oklahoma and later moved to Tulsa, where she met and married Charles Freise. He preceded her in death in 1970. She later married Leo Freise, who also preceded her in death in 1982. She was then married to Clarence Sikes.

Velma worked for Douglas aircraft during World War II and later retired from Vandevers Department Store. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was active in the Parkview Baptist Church and many community projects. She took care of her paraplegic son until for her own health reasons could no longer care for him.

Velma passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2003 at the Pawnee Municipal Hospital at the age of eighty-nine years, seven months and twenty-two days. In addition to her first two husbands, Velma was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Leonard Morris; and two sisters, Odonna Long and a baby sister, Estalie.

She is survived a daughter and her husband, Della Marie and Ed Kapple of Maramec, OK; son, Gary Freise of Pawnee, Oklahoma; three grandchildren, Terry and Claudia Kapple of Tulsa, Rand and Tammy Kapple of Oklahoma City; and Kim and David Gruenwald of Norman; seven great grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Friday, May 30, 2003 at the Hallett Baptist Church in Hallett with Rev. Randall Alley. Committal services will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday at the Floral Haven Cemetery in Broken Arrow under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home. Inc.

''Visit and online obituary and guestbook for Velma Freise Sikes at www.chapman-black.com.''