O'NEAL, Gladys R. (McCormick)

Mrs. Jack Gladys Reba (McCormick) O'Neal was born on Feb. 19, 1907, to pioneer parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. O. McCormick of southwest of Altus. She passed away Nov. 30, 2010. She attended grade school at Prairie Home and Olustee, later graduating from high school at Porter High. She attended college at Oklahoma College for Women in Chickasha, and was a graduate of Altus Junior College and Southwestern State College at Weatherford. She also did graduate work in her field at the University of Oklahoma in Norman and the University of Denver in Denver, Colo. Gladys taught school 32 years in Altus Public Schools. She taught one year at Porter High School, 29 years at Washington Elementary School, and two years at Booker Kindergarten. She also taught in the Altus Head Start, Adult Education, and after-school tutoring programs. She was a member of Oklahoma Education Association, Retired Teachers' Association, American Legion Auxiliary, United Methodist Women, Church Women United. An active member of the First United Methodist Church of Altus, having joined in 1940, Gladys served in many areas of the church. This included United Methodist Women, Country Kitchen Project, Council on Ministries, and the Official Administrative Board. At one time she helped with the layout for the weekly church paper, The Bellringer. She also helped document for printing The Historical Events of the United Methodist Church History. Gladys had the honor of being chosen by the Museum of the Western Prairie as one of the Living Legends of Jackson County. She was given the honor of being selected as 2001 Older American of the Year. In 2010, she was honored as the Western Oklahoma State College inductee to the WOSC Alumni Hall of Fame. She married her high school sweetheart Jack O'Neal on Dec. 5, 1926, and they farmed for 13 years before moving into Altus. After Jack's return from service in World War II, he operated O'Neal Hardware with his brother Sam, and Gladys pursued her teaching career. They were privileged to spend 61 happy years together. She was preceded in death by husband Jack O'Neal; her parents; four sisters, Eunice McCormick, Berthelle Coe, Winnie Kidd, and Betty St. Dizier; brothers-in-law, Robert Kidd, Lonnie Coe, Norbert St. Dizier; a niece, Mariesta Kidd Obenhaus; and nephews, Tommy Obenhaus, Joe Bob Kidd, and Arvil Wright. She is survived by five nieces, Debby and Lloyd Mullican of Amarillo, Sherri and Alvin Knight of Altus, Marion and Roy (Pee Wee) Cary of Duncan, Diane Landers of Altus, and Jo Dean Stephenson of Houston, Texas. Nephews surviving are Charley Kidd and Angela of Altus, Mike and Barbara O'Neal of Altus, Randy and Lynette O'Neal of Garland, Texas, and Jack Copeland of Dimmitt, Texas. Other survivors are great-nieces, Stacy and Darrell Dixon of Boerne, Texas, Melanie Kidd of Altus, Jennifer and Greg LeMay of Weatherford, Amy and Kirk Estes of Canute, Kayla and Roger Brooks of Arizona, and Jamie Landers of Altus. Great-nephews are Keith and Ricki Knight of Perry, Kevin Obenhaus of Oklahoma City, Scott Cary of Duncan, Sean and Jill Mullican of Flower Mound, Texas, Shane and Elizabeth Mullican of Grand Prairie, Texas, Tyler and Jennifer O'Neal, Todd and Becky O'Neal, Trey and Shera O'Neal, all of Garland, Texas, Travis and Jennie O'Neal of Florida, and Justin and Jamie Landers of Altus. Other survivors are sisters-in-law, Betty and Orley Tipton and Martha Raley, all of Altus. Her pride and joy were her great-great-nieces and nephews, Kylee, Tucker, and Quaid Dixon of Boerne, Texas, Chesley Kidd of Altus, Aaron and Ryan LeMay of Weatherford, Kyle Knight of Stillwater, William, Shana and Annabell Rose Cotton of Enid, Jake and Colton Estes of Canute, Malia and Madison O'Neal of Florida, Maggie, Saylor, Tag, Addison, Troop, Tate, Trott, Colby and Avery O'Neal of Garland, Texas, Zachary, Jordan, Daniel, and Bethany Brooks, all of Arizona, Bridgett Mullican of Grand Praire, Texas, and Makena Mullican of Flower Mound, Texas. She affectionately called all her former students ""her kids,"" many of whom survive her. She will be greatly missed by the many family, friends and students whose lives she touched and who loved her dearly. Funeral arrangements are with Lowell-Tims Funeral Home and services will be held at the First United Methodist Church, Friday at 2 p.m. Interment will follow in the Altus City Cemetery. The family will receive guests at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home from 6 to 7 p.m., Thursday.