Willa Jean (Ford) McEntire passed from this life on November 19, 2022, in Cushing, OK. Her care has been entrusted to Palmer Marler Funeral Home in Cushing.
Willa Jean was born on May 11, 1931, to William and Lorene (Medley) Ford in Agra, OK. As a little girl growing up in the country Willa Jean loved to go out and milk their cows every morning. She graduated from Agra High School and remained a dedicated supporter of her alma mater. She was a fun-loving young woman who enjoyed the thrill of roller coasters and driving too fast.
Willa Jean married her husband, Dempsey McEntire, and spent the next 63 years making him the happiest man in the world, at least that’s what she told him. To their union were born their two sons, Clifford and Raymond. Willa Jean was such an advocate for her community. She loved volunteering to help set up the Christmas Lights in Agra every year. She also made sure she never missed an Agra Bearcat ballgame no matter where the game was. She was always there to support her team. She worked on the Lincoln County Election Board for 70 years, starting when she was only 20 years old. (She was supposed to be 21 to work there but was asked to fill in at the last minute for a lady who had gotten really sick; and continued serving until recently). She was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Agra serving as a Sunday School Teacher and as Treasurer for 25 years. She loved and served her Lord all the days of her life. Willa Jean was a people person, she loved to be in a crowd. She enjoyed crowds so much (along with being the boss) that she would have run for President, but her husband wouldn’t let her. For 53 years, she worked as an insurance clerk for Pancoast & Smith where she was able to work with her community even more. She loved to cook, enjoyed decorating cakes, taking the family camping, going to Branson and Hawaii, and just being with her family and her friends.
Willa Jean is survived by her two sons Clifford McEntire and wife DeAnn and Raymond McEntire and wife Debbie; three siblings, Robert Ford and wife Geraldean, Mardell Lawhead, and Jeanene Lange and husband Truman; four grandchildren, Christopher McEntire, Taylor Kerr and husband Clayton, Nichole Prater and husband James and Jordan Finch and husband Collin; along with one great-grandson Luca Joel Finch and another great-grandchild on the way, plus many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Dempsey, and one sister, Eloise Silcox.
A visitation will be held for Willa Jean from 6:00-8:00PM on Tuesday, November 22 at Palmer Marler Funeral Home in Cushing, OK. Funeral services will be at 2:00PM on Wednesday, November 23 at Wes McFarland Center at 614 Lincoln Street, Agra, OK. Interment at Osage Cemetery will immediately follow.
