Hughes County,

Oklahoma

James Tyson ABSHER

    Funeral services were held Nov. 5, 2003 at the First Baptist Church, Wetumka, for James Tyson ABSHER. Rev. Duane COOK officiated at the services.

    Mr. ABSHER was born March 28, 1954 in Wetumka to Tyson and Sybil SMITH ABSHER and died Nov. 3 at the Holdenville General Hospital at the age of 49.

    He was raised in Wetumka and graduated salutatorian of the 1972 graduating class. He later attended East Central University in Ada and graduated in 1976 with honors and a Bachelor of Science degree. After college, he went to work for the State of Oklahoma in the Department of Human Services and also did carpentry on the side.

    He loved working on oil and gas pipelines where he had traveled all across the United States.

    Mr. ABSHER was married to Linda LEFTWICH on Sept. 12, 1997.

    He liked to hunt and fish and was a big OU fan. He was also an avid reader and history buff. As a decedent of two confederate soldiers, he was very knowledgeable of all aspects of the Civil War. He also enjoyed reading the Bible.

    He was preceded in death by his father, Tyson, a brother, David, and his grandparents, Jim and Ethel SMITH and William and Oma ABSHER.

    Survivors include his wife, Linda, of the home; his mother. Sybil ABSHER of Wetumka; a brother, Roger ABSHER of Wetumka; a sister, Delores KELLOGG of Okay; two daughters, Cristy DAVIS, Holdenville, and Cindy LANCASTER, Sasakwa; grandchildren, Ryan HICKRSON, Jesse DAVIS, Brittney and Blake LANCASTER, and Dillion Ray LANCASTER, due in December; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.

    Pallbearers were Mike BUTLER, Curtis LEFTWICH, Leon BAMBURG, Danny MCEWIN, Keith ABSHER and Roger ABSHER. Honorary pallbearers were Clark CHASATAIN, Carl MORRIS, Jerry BOWEN, Zane MICKLE, Marvin MOODY, Bill WILKERSON, Bill HUDSPETH, Roy LEFTWICH, Horace LEFTWICH, Michael ABSHER and Douglass POOLE.

    Interment was in the Wetumka cemetery under the direction of Williamson Funeral Home.