Memorial Services for Deborah Kathleen Priest, 67, of Holdenville are 10:00 a.m. Friday at Morris Memorial Baptist Church at Latta, Rev. Steve Wilburn, Rev. Ron Chastine and Rev. Paul Priest will officiate.
Mrs. Priest passed away Saturday, November 12, 2016 at an Oklahoma City hospital. She was born April 15, 1949 in Holdenville to Clinton and Aubrey Strickland Dooley. She graduated from Calvin High School and received a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from East Central University in Ada.
She married Melvin Priest August 30, 1968. He preceded her in death November 16, 2014. She and her family lived for eight years in Non on the family farm, later in Shawnee, Ada for several years and the last 14 years on the family farm southeast of Holdenville. Mrs. Priest taught school in Wewoka for a year, Calvin for two years, Moss for two years and she taught 4th grade at Latta for 18 years, where she retired in 2007. Mrs. Priest was a member of Banner Baptist Church in Horntown.
Survivors include three sons, Paul Priest and wife Charla of Madill, Greg Priest and wife Bobbie of Stonewall and Mark Priest and wife Amber of Davis; a sister, Joy Dooley Ring and husband John of Holdenville; a sister-in-law, Wanda Sue Dooley of Harrah; a brother, Bob Dooley and wife Glenda of Salem, MO; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Joe and Loretta Priest and Terry and Loretta Abney, all of Ada; her grandchildren, Kristal Newberry and husband Jarrod, Stephanie Vanderburg and husband A. J., Dexter Priest and wife Reighna, Katie Harp and husband John, Dakota Priest and wife Holly, Maria Priest, Lane Priest, Damon Gregg, Kayla Priest and Jayden Priest; 16 great-grandchildren, Kayla, Peyton, Kason and Reighna Newberry; Adison, Aaryn and Alivia Vanderburg; Wyatt and Hudson Priest; Gavin, Kallie and Ja’Leigh Harp; Serenity, Breighdn and Jaylee Butler; and Rifle Priest; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Troy Lee Dooley; and a great-granddaughter, Kallie Blaire Harp.
The passions of Deborah’s life were her husband Melvin and her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling with her husband, walking in the woods on her farm and watching her grandkids play ball. She loved being “Nana”.
Obituaries may be viewed and online condolences sent to criswellfh.com.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
