Ann Ooley Richardson
July 29, 1926 - April 28, 2020
Ann Richardson was born Mary Ann Ooley in Frederick, OK on July 29, 1926. About a year later, her parents, John Loran and Sarah Kathryn Ware Ooley returned to Shattuck, OK and "Annie" flourished in this small town atmosphere where she played in the marching band from 4th grade through her senior year. It was at Shattuck High School that she met her future husband, Cecil.
After high school graduation in 1944, Ann boarded the train for Amarillo, TX where she attended St. Anthony School of Nursing and became one of the first U.S. Cadet Corps nurses. Although she loved nursing, Ann decided she loved Cecil even more, so she left nursing school and the Corps and married Cecil Richardson in Shattuck on April 21, 1946.
When Cecil graduated from Oklahoma A & M in May, 1948 and accepted a job with Halliburton, they moved to Duncan with 1 year old Kathy in tow. As the years went by, 3 more little Duncanites were born: Cynthia, Mike and Mark.
Ann was active in the PTA at Mark Twain School and served as homeroom mother numerous times. She always helped serve on Friday "Hot Dog Days" at the school. She was also a Den Mother for Mike's and Mark's Cub Scout troops and helped with Brownies for Kathy and Cynthia. This support of children only intensified several years later when she and Cecil had 5 grandchildren growing up in Duncan. They were ardent supporters of all their various activities.
Ann continued to be active in the First United Methodist Church until this year when her health began to fail. She sang in the Chancel Choir for 50 years and she and Cecil had worked with the youth for more than a dozen years.
When the last of her brood finally left the nest, Ann was able to fulfill her dream of "having a horse again someday." In the late 1970's she and Cecil moved out to an acreage on Plato Road where they established "Annie's Appaloosas", a small operation in which Ann raised and trained colts. She also owned show horses which she showed as an amateur/owner. "Annie's Appaloosas" - and Duncan, Oklahoma - were known across the nation as Ann won trophy after trophy and title upon title in the Appaloosa horse world. In 1982 her mare Princess Sandrock carried her to 9th place in senior trail at the World Show. And in 1983 she won the National year-end high point in Amateur Trail riding Son-Of-A-Boss.
She enjoyed serving on the Stephens County Fair Board and the Red Cross Board of Directors.
Through all of these years Ann was also an avid bowler and bowled in a seniors' league until about 6 months ago. Another sport Ann was actively involved in is softball. For almost 70 years young women in the Duncan area have enjoyed playing softball because she helped start the first women's softball league in the early 50s.
Annie Ooley Richardson passed peacefully from this earth on April 28, 2020. Along with her parents and a brother, J.L. and sister, Lorane, she was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil, her son Mark and a grandson, Nathan. She is survived by her daughters, Kathy Gibson and Cynthia Benton and her husband Dan; and her son Mike; 9 grandchildren and their spouses and 18 great grandchildren. Contributions honoring her may be sent to the Duncan Humane Society or First United Methodist Church Chancel Choir.
A memorial service will be held at a later time when churches are open and we can gather to celebrate her life. Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Whitt Funeral Home/Oakcrest Cremation Center.
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