Alura M. Idleman, age 97 of Purcell, passed away Sunday, January 31, 2016, at the Purcell Municipal Hospital.
Alura Maxine Mills was born March 14, 1918, in Wayne, OK, the youngest of 12 children born to William Henderson Mills and Icie Elizabeth (Smith) Mills. She was raised in Wayne and attended Wayne Public Schools, graduating with the Class of 1935. She then attended St. Anthony’s Nursing School in Oklahoma City. She began working for Dr. Lindsay in Pauls Valley for a short time and later for both Dr. W.C. McCurdy Sr. and Dr. W.C. McCurdy Jr. at the Purcell Municipal Hospital. Alura married her first love and best friend, Tom Idleman, on December 2, 1939, at the First Baptist Church in Purcell. They settled on a farm east of Wayne where together they raised 3 children, son, Tommy and daughters, Cherrie and Jan. For many years, Alura worked as a receptionist for the ASCS in McClain County. Alura was an avid reader. She faithfully read the Bible and never missed an opportunity to curl up with a good book. Alura cherished her family, and especially her grandchildren. She was highly respected by many in the Purcell and Wayne communities. Alura loved the Lord and served him faithfully as a member of the Purcell First Baptist Church. She will be dearly missed!
She was preceded in death by: Her parents, William and Icie Mills and Her siblings.
Alura leaves behind: Her husband of more than 76 years, Tom Idleman of Purcell; Her Daughters, Cherrie Karn of Oklahoma City and Jan Wilson of Lindsay; Her son, Tommy Idleman and wife Susan of Ft. Worth, TX; Grandchildren, Kip Karn and wife Dr. Anne Karn of Wagoner, OK, Sean Karn and wife Heather of Yukon, OK, Gavin Wilson and wife DeeDee of Lindsay, OK, Todd Wilson and wife Lesley of Lindsay, OK, Chase Idleman of Austin, TX, Ian Idleman of Houston, TX, and Erin Idleman of Ft. Worth, TX; Great grandchildren, Kenzy, Kamryn, Kale, Taylor and husband Blaine, Bailey, Londyn, Cody, Jett; Great Great Grandchildren, Brewer and Brett and A host of other family and friends.
Funeral Services are scheduled for 2:00 P.M. Thursday, February 4, 2016, at the First Baptist Church in Purcell. Burial will follow at the Hillside Cemetery.
Obit for Tom posted by Ann Weber
Feb 5, 1916 - May 11, 2017
Tom Idleman, age 101 of Purcell, passed away Thursday, May 11, 2017 at Purcell Municipal Hospital.
Tom was born February 5, 1916, on a farm west of Wayne, OK near the Bryant Community. Tom was the 3rd of 11 children born to Lester Ray Idleman and Carrie Mae (Hawkins) Idleman. Tom grew up a farm boy and learned how to work hard picking cotton and cutting broomcorn. In his early years of school he attended Bryant School, and later attended Wayne High School where he graduated with the class of 1936. Tom married the love of his life and best friend, Alura M. Idleman on December 2, 1939. They were married at the Purcell First Baptist Church Parsonage. In 1958, they bought a farm east of Wayne and there they together raised three children, Cherrie, Jan and Tommy. In his early years of farming, Tom planted acres and acres of broomcorn, while Alura cooked and fed the Broomcorn Johnnies. Years later Tom farmed cotton, corn, peanuts, wheat, alfalfa and raised cattle. Tom and his family lived off the land, raising a garden, orchards and farm animals for meat. Tom farmed for 42 years before retiring and moving to Purcell. While living in Wayne, Tom served 20 years on the Wayne School Board and was a member of the Oklahoma Cattleman Assoc. He was a faithful Christian, a member of the Purcell First Baptist Church since 1941, and the oldest deacon. For many years Tom and Alura enjoyed playing golf together. He loved watching sports, especially Oklahoma Sooners, the OKC Thunder and the Dallas Cowboys. He will be remembered as a loving father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was a special brother, a wonderful uncle, and a dear friend to many.
He was preceded in death by: Parents, Les and Carrie Mae Idleman Wife of 76 years, Alura Idleman in 2016, 3 Sisters, Mattie Belle Mullins, Marie Crabtree and Lena Vaughn, 5 Brothers, Albert, Frank, Rudy, Loyd and Ray Idleman,
He is survived by: One Son, Tommy Idleman and wife Susan of Fort Worth, Two Daughters, Cherrie Karn of Edmond, Jan Wilson of Lindsay; One Brother, Ted Idleman and wife Jo of Wayne, One Sister, Fannie Lou Green of Purcell, 7 grandchildren, Kip Karn and wife Dr. Anne Karn of Wagoner, OK, Sean Karn and wife Heather of Yukon, OK, Gavin Wilson and wife DeeDee of Lindsay, Todd Wilson and wife Lesley of Lindsay, Chase Idleman and wife Marie of Austin, TX, Ian Idleman of Houston, Erin Idleman of Ft. Worth; 8 great grandchildren, Kenzy, Kamryn and Kale Karn; Taylor and Blaine Brooks; Bailey, Londyn, Cody and Jett Wilson; 2 great great grandchildren, Brewer and Brett Brooks many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be 1:30 P.M. Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at the First Baptist Church in Purcell. Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery in Purcell