NICHOLS - Florence Cecelia Rodman, age 89, died peacefully on
October 13, 2007, after a long illness. Florence was born September
8, 1918, in Vinita to Arthur Edward and Blanche Florence Oborn
Rodman. Florence's mother's parents, John Sanford Oborn and Blanche
Florence (Tubbs) Oborn were early pioneers having established their
homes in Indian Territory prior to statehood. Florence's father came
to Vinita in 1909 from Pierce City, MO. After graduating in 1935
from Vinita High School, Florence (or Flip) married her high school
sweetheart Howard Morrison (Buddy) Nichols on November 28, 1935. Her
true calling was as a wife, mother, and grandmother, but she spent a
number of years working in the family Coca Cola business during the
Second World War and again during the 1970's when the business
expanded to a new facility. Florence was preceded in death by her
loving husband, Howard, in 1991 after 56 years of marriage. A
brother, William Arthur Rodman, also preceded her in death in 1985.
She is survived by: her children, Janet Stuart and her husband, John
of Tulsa, Karen Hoss, whose husband, Dr. Fred Hoss died in 2005 of
El Cajon, CA and Sue Ratcliff and husband, Jim of Vinita. She is
also survived by: her grandchildren, Kim Wilson, Susan Bott, Sally
and Jimmy Ratcliff, 2 step- grandchildren survive, John Stuart and
Mark Stuart, 4 great-grandchildren, Dakota, Dillan, Olivia and Nate,
and 3 nieces, Willa Rodman Barnes, Celia Rodman Gerfers, Gina Rodman
Manders. Service will be held 11 a.m., Thursday, October 18, 2007 at
the Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita with burial at Fairview
Cemetery under the direction of Luginbuel Funeral Home. Reverend
Richard W. Evans will officiate. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts
may be made to the Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, 101 S Thompson,
Vinita, OK 74301, the Vinita Public Library, 215 W Illinois, Vinita,
OK 74301 or to the VPS Educational
Foundation, P. O. Box 408, Vinita, OK 74301.
Published in the Tulsa World on 10/16/2007.
Submitted by: Shelley Lynch <leeshlynch@gmail.com>