Gloria L. (Butler) Casas

Gloria Lee (Butler) Casas was born in Welling, OK on September 18, 1937, to William Joseph Butler and Martha Augusta (Wright) Butler, the youngest of eight children. Gloria grew up in Welling. She then met Billy Ray Casas and they married on March 5, 1955, in Welling, OK. Four daughters and one son were born to this union. During Bill’s time in the Air Force, the couple was stationed all over the U.S. including Florida, West Virginia, Texas, New Jersey, and Hawaii. They retired to Tahlequah, Oklahoma and spent the last 40+ years in Rose, OK. Gloria was an active member of the Mt. Zion General Baptist Church until health prohibited. Gloria enjoyed sewing, crocheting, sending cards and letters, and spending time with family, friends, and food. Her favorite activities included eating at Katfish Kitchen or the annual breakfast at Denny’s to celebrate her wedding anniversary with Bill. She loved Dr. Pepper, and even while in the hospital battling the sudden illness that she tried so hard to beat, she made deals with the doctors for Dr. Pepper. Through failing health, her faith in the Lord remained as strong as ever, as well as having a little dab of Butler. She would remind anyone who might need reminding that a little dab of Butler was powerful stuff. She fought to get better and go home so she could take care of Bill and her little buddy Spike, but God called her to her promised home instead.

Gloria is preceded in death by her parents, siblings Emma Day, Bessie Caldwell, Harvey Butler, Dorothy Sumpter, Melvin Butler, Ruth Reinhart, Mary Davidson, infant son William Ray Casas, and youngest daughter Janice Lee Bell.

She is survived by her husband of the home of 69 years, Bill, her daughters Brenda Kay Owen of Douglas, GA; Jaquita Ann Farrow and husband Kenneth of Tahlequah, OK; and Carolyn Hamilton and husband Randy of Lockport, IL; son-in-law Doyle Bell of Rose, OK; seven grandchildren: Mariah Hix and husband Billy of Tahlequah, OK; Angela Farrow of Tahlequah, OK; Laura Selshtut and husband Marat of McKinney, TX; Dee Bell and fiancé Veronica Jones of Rose, OK; Martha Bell of Rose, OK; William Coyne and wife Liane of Kalamazoo, MI; and Kevin Coyne of Glendale Heights, IL. Eight great-grandchildren Chloe Farrow; Eli, Samuel, and Benjamin Hix; and Evelyn, Blake, Emma, and Troy Selshtut; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and other family, friends and loved ones.

Viewing will be Sunday, February 11, 2024, at Reed-Culver Funeral Home from 2:00-5:00 p.m. Service will be held at Reed-Culver Funeral Home on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. with internment following at Ft. Gibson National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.

Serving as pallbearers are Dee Bell, Eli Hix, Arlie Girdner, Billy Hix, Kevin Coyne and Will Coyne. Honorary pallbearers include Gary Girdner, Tony Girdner, Randy Hamilton, Larry Bradham, Robie Girdner and Cody Nottingham.