Services for Alice Jane Cassell, 97, of Allen will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 22, 2023 at the Allen School Auditorium, Charles Henthorn will officiate. Burial will follow at Allen Cemetery. A visitation will be held 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, July 21, 2023 at the Criswell Chapel in Allen, OK.
Mrs. Cassell died Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at her home. She was born October 7, 1925 in Pernell, OK to Thomas R. “Buster” and Zina Nova Barnett Harris. She was the eldest of 13 children.
She married David Jackson “DJ” Cassell on September 21, 1943 in Elmore City, OK, shortly before he was sent overseas during WWII. He preceded her in death on April 3, 2012. Mrs. Cassell was a homemaker and she and DJ enjoyed an active involvement in the Methodist Church of Elmore City and working with Boy Scouts. They then transitioned their family to a farmstead on Pather Creek and worked together to become a part of the Gerty community and were members of the Non Free Will Baptist Church.
After raising their children, David and Donna, they moved to Allen to the home where she presided until her death. She could be found in her yard working in the flower beds, or overseeing someone working in her flower beds and she loved sharing cuttings and starts of flowers with neighbors all over town. She and her daughter Donna opened up Jane’s Flower’s in the mid 80’s and enjoyed that partnership until it’s close in 2005. She loved being active in the community and sought to help with needs anytime she could. She was known for her famous cobblers, her love of antiques and beautiful things, and her sassy spirit. She was very proud of all of her kids and delighted in being their biggest supporter at whatever they chose to do as long as they listened to how she thought they should do it. She was always a great hostess when anyone stopped in for a visit and was a beloved Aunt Jane to many.
Survivors include her daughter, Donna Arnold and husband James of Allen; brother, Sonny Harris and wife Opal of Elmore City, OK; five sisters, Twanna Pink and Patsy Sue Harris, both of Detroit, MI, Linda Small of Oklahoma City, Sharon Mackelvie of Santa Clarita, CA and Connie Whisler and husband Larry of League City, TX; seven grandchildren, Brielle DeVoe and husband Evan, Dennis Cassell and wife Patricia, Ray Dry and Jake Cassell and wife Jamie, Brad Arnold, Elizabeth Henthorn and husband Charles, Noel Arnold and wife Ashley; eleven great-grandchildren; and other loving relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, David Cassell and six siblings.
Bearers will be Noel Arnold, Jake Cassell, Blake Henthorn, Samuel Henthorn, Rodey Arnold, Wyatt Arnold and Jack Arnold.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
