Margaret Safley

Marietta Monitor

February 23, 2001, page 4

Submitted by: Martha N. Reddout

Services for Margaret Safley, 83, were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, February 22, at the First United Methodist Church in Healdton.

Mrs. Safley was born November 5, 1917, at New Cambria, Missouri, the daughter of J. Bert and Mabel Jones, pioneer settlers of New Cambria. She died February 19, 2001, at Presbyterian Hospital, Oklahoma City.

She attended college at what is now Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. In 1937 she was awarded the Bachelor of Arts degree with credentials in English Literature and Physical Education and taught modern dance one year at Truman State. In 1938 she married Robert Hay Safley and they moved to Forney, Texas, where he completed a residency at Sparks Hospital in Dallas. Their first son, George Robert, was born in 1941. That same year they moved to Healdton, where Dr. Safley established a practice in the Wade Drug Building. Three other children were born after they moved to Oklahoma, Judith Anne, Robert Bruce and Edward Nichols.

Mrs. Safley was always active and interested in civic, school and community work. Her efforts with Zippy Ables, Glo Fortune and June Galoob were instrumental in establishing the first lunch room program for Healdton Public Schools. She was always active in Band Boosters, Choir Boosters and PTA. Mrs. Safley was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Healdton and taught Sunday School for many years; was an officer in the Ardmore Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution; was active in the Carter County Republican's Women's Club; was a founding member of the Oilfield Recreation Association, Healdton Ladies Golf Association and the Falconhead Ladies Golf Association; was a Girl Scouts leader; and was a member of Healdton "Tea Cart," Monday Study Club and the Healdton Music Club.

Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. George R. and Eleanor Safley of Oklahoma City, Robert Bruce Safley of Houston, Texas, and Edward Nichols and Rene Safley of Norman; a daughter, Judith Anne Safley of Marlow; grandchildren, Susan and Bert Bibens of Tulsa, Elizabeth and Allen Brinker of Maryland, Nick Safley and Ben Safley of Norman; great-grandchildren, Robert Bibens, Michael Bibens and Emily Bibens of Tulsa, Sam Brinker and Owen Brinker of Maryland; her in-laws, Dorothy Safley Hill and Lewis B. Hill of Drummond, Montana, Margaret Ann Safley of Great Falls, Montana, and Betty Jones of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and a host of nieces, nephews and good friends.

Mrs. Safley was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. R.H. Safley; her parents, J. Bert and Mabel Jones; a sister, Elsie Jones, and brothers, Owen W. Jones and Dr. Fred Jones.

Interment was in Mt. Olive Cemetery, Healdton, under the direction of Spivey's Reser Funeral Home.

Memorials can be made in her honor to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation as well as the American Cancer Society.