Vera Jean Candler, longtime Cushing resident, passed away on Friday, October 9, 2015 at the age of 88 years.
The daughter of the late Wilkes Selmen Thetford and Willie Lee Herrell Thetford, Vera Jean was born on September 7, 1927 in Okmulgee, where she was also raised and educated, graduating from Okmulgee High School.
Vera Jean was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, William “Bill” Candler, Sr. on December 5, 1946 in Okmulgee. To this union three children were born: Bill Jr., Judy and Cathy. Bill preceded her death on July 27, 2015. Vera and Bill enjoyed over 69 years of marriage.
Vera and Bill moved to Cushing in 1957 when Bill became the manager of Safeway and in 1965 they opened their own store, Bill’s EZ Out. She had worked at the store until 1992, when she retired and started volunteering with the Hospital Auxiliary at the Cushing Hospital.
Vera Jean was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Cushing for over 60 years and had been very active from teaching Sunday School to whatever needed to be done. She will be remembered for her baking for church and numerous people in the community. Vera was devotion to her Savior, her husband, her family and she had a special love for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In 2013, Vera and Bill were recipients of the Cushing Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award.
Survivors include one son Bill Candler Jr. and his wife Marge of Cushing; two daughters, Judy Candler Bachman and her husband Rick of Oklahoma City, and Cathy Candler Pritchard and her husband Mark of Mustang; six grandsons: Chantz Candler and his wife Jaime, Chase Candler and his wife Lori, Broc Holleyman and his wife Kristal, Bary Holleyman and his wife Lindsey, Pace Pritchard and his wife Amy, and Garrett Pritchard and his wife Camille; 14 great-grandchildren and numerous other relatives and friends.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Arlie, Orville and Orbrie.
Funeral services will be held in the First Assembly of God Church on Thursday, October 15, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. with Brother George Brock, III officiating.
Burial will follow in the Euchee Valley Memorial Park Cemetery.
The family will greet friends on Wednesday evening from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. in the Floyd Family Center, located east of the Davis Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Assembly of God Church in her memory.
You may share your condolences with the Candler family at www.davisfh.net.
Services are under the direction of the Davis Funeral Home.
