Magdalene Flowers was first and foremost the mother of five children that she dearly loved and whom loved her. Born September 11, 1928 in Clebit Oklahoma, her life can be discussed in four distinct parts. The first half of her live was very difficult. As a child she grew up very poor. Not only was it the time of the Great Depression, but Magdalene was a child of a half-breed American Indian in Oklahoma. At that time Indians were very discriminated against. A physically beautiful girl she was popular and used her God given talent singing in her church.
The next phase began when she married a handsome sailor named James Flowers. Over the next seven years they had five children who became the center of Magdalene’s world. An enlisted man’s wife, her poverty continued. James was often overseas. She is the one who raised the five children. They learned not only of her physical beauty but also her inner beauty.
The third phase of her life began when James retired from the Navy and changed certain habits that made Magdalene’s life difficult. So began the best years of her life. She had James to herself and felt so much pride as her children gave her grand kids, graduated college, served in the military and launched careers. Magdalene and James took trips together, they hunted for coins together, they played games and they read books. They had the life that Magdalene had previously only dreamed of.
Suddenly James died prematurely at age 64 and the final phase of Magdalene’s life began. She missed her husband tremendously, but would not consider a new companion because James was her great love in life. Magdalene remained loyal to James until the end. Over the next few years two of her daughters moved home, so she was not alone. It was only during this time that with little to start with and with a limited cash flow that she built a significant amount of wealth. In December she was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Magdalene passed from this life into the next on January 24. She was rejoined with her beloved James.
What can you say about Magdalene? In the South they would call her “a hoot” or “a pistol.” In her whole life she never met a stranger. She would talk with anyone and easily made friends. Why say something in 30 words when 500 would do? We laughed that before PCs there were three forms of communicating: 1) Telephone, 2) Telegraph, 3) ”tella Nana”. All her life she loved playing board games and later computer games. She played Bingo her whole life, but her favorite place was at the Elk’s Lodge which she joined and became an Elk. Magdalene was an avid reader, often reading 100+ books a year
A Christian and a strong person, Magdalene freely spoke her thoughts. If one of the children did something that she did not like she had no trouble pointing that out to them. “Mike when are you going to lose weight?” Yet we all knew that she had our best interests at heart. So many times she was there to help both emotionally and financially. For example in her last year of life one daughter had colon cancer and no insurance. Magdalene saved her life by paying for the operation. Another daughter wrecked a car and could not afford another one. Again mom was there for her. Magdalene was always there to give advice or simply for a strong shoulder to cry upon. Magdalene was such a beautiful person who was so dearly loved by five children, nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, spouses, in-law.
Succeeded in life by:
Five Children:
Sheila Henderson
Vickie Kidwell
Michael Flowers & Wife Jill
Patricia DeBardelaben & Husband Steve
Gary Flowers & Wife Georgia
Nine Grandchildren:
Robert Armstrong III & Wife Lisa
James Armstrong & Wife Christine
Melissa Burnett & Husband Ross
Michele Kidwell Frisbie
Jeff Flowers & Wife Gina
Scott Flowers & Wife LizAnn
Rebecca DeBardelaben
Chris DeBardelaben
Sam Flowers & Wife Jessalyn
Ten Great Grandchildren:
Robert Armstrong IV
Matthew Armstrong
Ethan Armstrong
Kaitlyn Armstrong
Aiden Burnett
Cameron Burnett
Gavin Burnett
Jocelynn Flowers
Trinity DeBardelaben
Braden DeBardelaben
Sister-in-Laws: Lilly Denson, Carlene Armbort and Katherine Flowers;
Brother-in-law: Delmar Flowers
Several Nieces and Nephews,
Preceded in Death by:
Husband: James Edward Flowers
Sisters: Letha Frazier and Rita Cox & Brother: James David Denson
Several Sister-in-laws, Brother-in-laws and sadly even some nieces and nephews
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