Stilwell City Cemetery
Adair County, Oklahoma

Jimmie Leonard Varnell

© Roberts Reed-Culver Funeral Home
December 3, 2014
Submitted by: AL

Jimmie Leonard Varnell was born February 16, 1927 and departed this life November 27, 2014 at the age of 87 years, 9 months and 11 days.

Jimmie was born to Euen Earl Varnell and Opal Fern Sutton in Mannford, Oklahoma. He married Doris Marie Woodrell on April 29, 1949. They were married for almost 52 years. To this union was born their daughter Nanette Ruth.

Jimmie was called to the ministry at the age of 17, but it wasn't until he almost lost both Doris and Nanette during childbirth that he fully surrendered to God. As he anxiously paced the floor for 3 days calling out to God to spare his wife and child, he totally committed himself to preaching God's word.

He pastored churches in Fairview, Missouri and both the Pentecostal Holiness and Christian Worship Center in Stilwell, OK. He served as youth leader, missions director, and as the Ozarks Conference Superintendent of the Pentecostal Holiness Church. He also served on the Southwestern College Board of Directors and on the General Administrative Board of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. He was Director of Cherokee Children Mission for almost 30 years. During that time he touched many children's lives and became known to them as Grandpa Jim. Only in Heaven will we truly know the lives that were forever changed because of the Word of God that he sowed in young hearts.

Jimmie was preceded in death by his wife Doris, grandsons Zacharie Ray Ketcher and Steven Ketcher, his parents Earl and Opal, two brothers Gene Varnell and Herbert Vernell and one infant sister Rosie Varnell.

He is survived by daughter Nanette Ketcher and husband Ray of Bunch, Oklahoma, grandson Danny Ketcher and wife Kay of Stilwell, Oklahoma, granddaughter in law Olivia Ketcher of Bunch, Oklahoma, great grandchildren: Steven Ketcher and wife Maegan and Faith Ketcher all of Stilwell, Oklahoma, Stella Briar and Jaxon Ketcher of Bunch, Oklahoma and great great granddaughter Kinnis Mikay Ketcher also of Stilwell, Oklahoma, one sister, Brenda Tucker and husband Eddie of Bartlesville, Oklahoma as well as many other family members and friends who felt special and uplifted after spending time with him.