Ethel Reece Cemetery

Barnsdall, Osage County, Oklahoma

Marilee (Epperson) Graham

© Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise Bartlesville, OK March 24, 2014 Submitted by: Ann Weber

Marilee Graham, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, sister-in-law, cousin and friend, finished her journey March 21, 2014 and is finally home.

Marilee was born in Barnsdall, Oklahoma, October 14, 1931 to William Porter Epperson and Edna Viola (Salkil) Epperson. Following the death of her mother, in 1936, she lived with various aunts, attending schools in Kansas, California and Oklahoma. After a time, she returned home to Barnsdall an attended and Barnsdall Public Schools.

She captured the heart and soul of Elzie Glen Graham and they married, in Sedan, Kansas, on April 7, 1947. They were blessed with their first daughter, Glenda Lee, in October of 1948. The young family lived in Kentucky and Indiana, where Glen was employed as a plumber and pipefitter. They returned to Barnsdall, briefly, in October of 1953 for the birth of their second daughter, Linda Sue. Shortly thereafter, they made their home, permanently, in Barnsdall. As Glen continued to work as a plumber and pipefitter, in the area, the couple also established and operated their life long business, Graham Plumbing & Electric, which later transitioned to Glen's Place, prior to their retirement. Marilee was a vital part of the business, as well as a homemaker. Marilee enjoyed bowling and had great fun traveling around the country, to various states and tournaments with her friends and teammates. Glen and Marilee loved fishing and camping with family and friends, traveling, and visiting relatives. They became active members of the First Free Will Baptist Church of Barnsdall and loved serving and fellowshipping with their church family. Grandchildren became the light of their lives. They hardly missed a grandchild's activity or sporting event. They were avid Panther fans and could frequently be found at the ball field or gymnasium. After Glen's passing, Marilee remained active in her church and senior citizen activities. Her four great grandchildren became her greatest joys. Her eyes lit up, when they were in her presence. She was always excited at the chance to travel to their games and events, and most recently, had them gathered around her feet, playing, having fun, and making her laugh and smile. She was 82.

Mrs. Graham is survived by two daughters, Glenda Lee Gulley and husband Everett of Stigler and Linda Sue Ryan of Barnsdall, two grandchildren, Allen Glen Ryan and wife Jennifer of Owasso and Carrie Lee Brown and husband Don of Altus, four great grandchildren, Stockton Glen Ryan, Camden Noble Ryan, Rosemary Leah Brown and Don Dewayne Brown Jr. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Bobby Dee Epperson and W.J. Epperson, and her husband, Elzie Glen Graham.

Funeral services for Mrs. Graham will be held at 10 A.M. on Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at the First Free Will Baptist Church of Barnsdall, with Pastor Rick Loggins and Rev. Jack Salkil officiating. Interment will be in the Ethel Reece Cemetery at Barnsdall directed by the Stumpff Barnsdall Funeral Home.

Visitation will be held at the Stumpff Barnsdall Funeral Home until 8 P.M. on Monday.

A memorial fund has been established and those who wish may send their contributions to the First Free Will Baptist Church, P.O. Box 328, Barnsdall, Oklahoma, 74002. Friends who wish may sign the online guest book and leave condolences at www.stumpff.org.

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