Bishop Funeral Home
September 26, 2023
Submitted by: Carol Spear Rice

Wilma Jean Lawrence, 89, of McAlester, Oklahoma passed away on September 3, 2023 at Belfair of McAlester. The family will greet friends Wednesday September 6, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Bishop Funeral Service. A funeral service will be held Thursday September 7, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Bishop Chapel of Memories with Cecil Day officiating. Burial will follow at White Chimney Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Grandsons and Great-Grandsons. Honorary Pallbearers are: Derald McNutt, Dale Sutterfield, Denton McNutt and Wilma's nephews Clyde (Bounce) Hull and Philip Lett. Wilma Jean was born on October 8, 1933 in Cabiness, Oklahoma to Duston and Lena (Risenhoover) Lett. She attended school at Cabiness and Stuart Public Schools. She and Gilbert Lawrence were married on March 13, 1951 in Van Buren, Arkansas. They were married until Gilbert's death on December 8, 2017. Wilma was a member of Stuart Freewill Baptist Church and Stuart Quilt Guild. She enjoyed sewing, crafting, quilting and genealogy research. She enjoyed attending sporting events particularly if they involved her family. She also enjoyed OU and OSU basketball games. She loved old time western movies as well as gospel and country music programs and usually had them playing on her television or radio. She is survived by her daughters: Wanda Been and Dirk, Rhonda Hull and Douglas and Mary Lee and Dean all of Arpelar and Pam Lawrence of Stuart; Grandchildren Jason Lindley and Kristi of Hartshorne, Duston Hull of Arpelar, Evan Lee and Michelle of Sachse, Texas, Cameron Ridenour of Wilburton, Les Hays and Helen of Elmore City, Tara Lawrence of Kansas; fourteen Great-Grandchildren, eight Great-Great Grandchildren; Sister-in-law: Willa Lett of McAlester; numerous nieces, nephews and other dear relatives and friends in Ada and Chickasha where they lived several years before returning to Stuart. Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, brothers Sherrill and Thomas Lett; sister, Grace Hull and brother-in-law, Wayne Hull. Wilma's life was a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of family and the joy of simple pleasures. Her legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. She will be deeply missed but her spirit will continue to inspire and guide us. The family would like to offer their sincere thanks to the staff at Belfair of McAlester, Heartland Hospice, a very special friend and caregiver, Celma Sanders and her close friend Jonnie Shirley.