GRAHAM, Dickse A. (Williams)

Dickse Anne Williams Graham was born on December 2, 1930 in Oklahoma City. She died peacefully in her sleep after a valiant battle with lung cancer. Preceded in death by husband Leroy Graham in 2009, mother Fleda Williams, father Dick "Richie" Williams, Aunt Vera "Sis" Green, Aunt Grace Vawter and Uncle Billy Tidwell. She is survived by her sons Bobby Graham, Dr. John Graham and wife Dr. Nancy Griffin of Texarkana, Texas; daughter Susan Bandy and husband Bill of Dallas, TX; grandchildren Jennifer Graham, Lauren Graham, Lisa Graham, Meryn Bandy Shannon and Husband Jonathan, Kendra Bandy Harmon and husband Braden, Amy Graham, Amanda Graham, and Michael Graham. She graduated in 1948 from Central High School in OKC and was a member of the "Red Skirts". She attended the Oklahoma College for Women in Chickasha, OK until her marriage to Joe Bob O'Neal in 1949. Their son, Bobby, was born in Feb. of 1951. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority for working women. After her divorce she worked mainly as an executive secretary in the oil field industry and met Leroy while working at Schlumberger. They married April 16, 1960. They lived in Cushing, Woodward, Richardson, TX, Gulf Shores, AL, and Birmingham, AL due to Leroy's job demands, returning to OKC after Leroy retired. Dickse worked throughout her married life as an executive secretary and even owned and operated 2 businesses in Gulf Shores, AL which was a restaurant on the beach and a clothing store. Dickse was a member of The Lions Club, The 1889'ers where she held the position of Vice President, The Alzheimer's Association, The American Cancer Society, and The Christmas Connection. Dickse worked with neighbor Ann Wilson in her interior design business, and spoke often of the joy she got from this. A special thanks goes out to her neighbor Ann Wilson for her loving care and compassion to Dickse the past 22 years, and especially her caring during the last days of Dickse's life. There could not be a greater friend. Dickse was a generous woman who loved her family and who welcomed any person in need to her home and her heart. For 20 yrs. she helped care for 2 handicapped children, Chris and Beth. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to The Meadows Center for Opportunity. It is the only sheltered workshop for handicapped adults in Oklahoma. Their address is: 1000 S. Kelly Ave., Edmond, OK 73003. Viewing will be Friday January 22, 2010 at Demuth Funeral Home from 8 A.M. to 6 P.M. and Saturday January 23 from 9 A.M. to 10 A.M. Services will be Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 10 A.M. at Demuth Funeral Home with interment to follow at Rose Hill Burial Park.