Wilma Lorene Jackson

Family and friends of Wilma Jackson of Fort Cobb and Anadarko are invited to attend her Celebration of Life on Friday, December 2, 2022 at 1:00 P.M. at the Fort Cobb Methodist Church with Pastor Felix Tshibang, officiating.Wilma was born on February 7, 1918, in Kingfisher to John William and Nellie Arminda (Meek) Leighton. She passed away on Sunday, November 27 at the age of 104 years.When Wilma was two, her father died, and the remaining family moved back to the family homestead located north of Fort Cobb in the Highland community. Eventually, Wilma's mother married Eugene Conner, a widower, and the combined family relocated to southern Missouri where Wilma grew up roaming the hills there until she was 16 years old. There were a total of 14 children and times were hard. Wilma came back to Fort Cobb to live with her Grand-Dad Joseph R. Meek. She was the Fort Cobb Valedictorian, Class of 1935. After graduation, Wilma attended Southwestern State Teacher's College in Weatherford. After two years she received her lifetime teaching certificate and started her teaching career at the Star Public School, a country school located north of Fort Cobb. While teaching, she continued her education until she completed all four years of college.Three years later, when Star School consolidated with Oney, she located another job at Verden where she continued to teach English, reading, and spelling.On August 14, 1942, she married Oral Howard (O.H.) Jackson at the Altus Methodist Church. At that time, O.H. was publisher of the Verden News, the Cement Field, and Cyril newspapers. After her marriage, Wilma had to resign her position as teacher since married women were not allowed to teach at Verden Public Schools at that time.O.H. was to be drafted for WWII and was to be stationed at Ft. Sill. To be closer to her husband, Wilma then took a job teaching in Eldorado, OK. The draft board called O.H. up three times. Each time when they realized he was a publisher they released him, since publishers were needed for the home front war effort; to keep the public informed. Wilma gladly returned home to Verden and started her publishing career and her family.In 1958, the family moved to Fort Cobb and established the Fort Cobb News. The Oklahoma Press Association awarded Wilma in 1995 their prestigious 50 years of publishing pin at a ceremony in Oklahoma City.Wilma semi-retired from the newspaper business in 1979 but continued to work writing articles until 1997. After retirement, Wilma and her husband, O.H. traveled around the United States in their camping trailer. He passed away in 1993. Wilma married Bernice Menasco in 2002 and moved to Anadarko.Wilma spent her years dedicating herself to serving others, primarily to God and her church. For years, she was a Sunday School teacher and a member of the United Methodist Women's organization.She also served her family, including two sons, John and Oral (Jack). She raised a garden every year and canned many, many jars of food each summer. Later on, she learned to crochet making baby afghans for the new arrivals in the family and community, among a variety of other items.She served her community through organizations by volunteering as a Cub Scout leader, was a member of South Pioneer Home Extension Club, and volunteered at various community events.Wilma was an optimistic person with a positive outlook on life. When she fell and broke her neck just after her 99th birthday, she said at least she waited until she was 99 to break her neck. She gave encouragement to those who needed it, and she has the ability to make each person feel important.She is preceded in death by her two husbands, her son John, and 11 of her brothers and sisters and a great-grandson Josiah.Wilma is survived by her son, Oral (Jack) of Anadarko and her daughter-in-law Judi of Broxton. Her grandchildren, Jennifer Ullery and husband Craig of Hennessey; John and wife Deyanira of Leesburg, VA; Julia Kennedy and husband David of Anadarko; Janice Dennis and husband Billy of Broxton; Kathrine Jackson of Anadarko and Nikita Jackson of Oklahoma City.Great-grandchildren are Claire and Laura Ullery; Alex, Joseph, and Matthew Jackson, William Ash; Thais, Elijah, and Maverick Dennis; Roberto and Victor Plata.Visitation will be Thursday, December 1 at the Smith Funeral Home in Anadarko, from 9:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. The family will be present to greet and visit from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.The burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Fort Cobb under the direction of the Fort Cobb Funeral Home.

Wilma Lorene Jackson

February 7, 1918 - November 27, 2022

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