Carol Ann Chism passed away Thursday, December 4, 2025 in Altus, Oklahoma at the age of 78. Carol was born April 10, 1947 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Willie Mack Wooten and Kathryn (Fitch) Wooten.

Ann Charlene Myers-Baxter passed away Wednesday, December 3, 2025 in Shawnee, Oklahoma at the age of 79. Ann was born November 16, 1946 in Wewoka, Oklahoma to Lloyd Melvin Myers and Dorothy Marie (Sullivan) Myers.

Wanda Dodson age 77, passed away Thursday, November 27, 2025 in Holdenville, Oklahoma. She was born November 11, 1948 in Sasakwa, Oklahoma to Abler Davis and Nora (Tiger) Davis.

Jerry Victor King passed away in Holdenville, Oklahoma on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the age of 83 years. Jerry is the son of George & Bessie (Cooley) King, born on November 25, 1941 in Osage, Oklahoma.

Margie Merriman, 88, of Holdenville, Oklahoma, passed peacefully on December 6, 2025, in McAlester, Oklahoma. She was born on November 21, 1937, in Atwood, Oklahoma, the ninth of ten children of Ira J. and Agnes (Gardner) Blackburn. Margie grew up in Atwood and proudly graduated from Atwood High School. She enjoyed a lively childhood surrounded by a large family, where she learned the values of hard work and resourcefulness- traits that would serve her well throughout her life. She played piano and participated in basketball and softball during her school years, sparking a lifelong love of activity, creativity, and community. On May 21, 1954, Margie married the love of her life, J.C. Merriman, and together they shared 71 beautiful years. Their home was filled with faith, family, humor, and the aroma of her wonderful cooking and baked dishes that blessed countless church events and family gatherings. Margie was the owner and office manager of A-1 Feed in Holdenville, where she worked alongside her family since 1981. She was involved in her community in many ways throughout her life, including serving as a Boy Scout leader in the early 1970s and being a longtime member of the East Main Church of Christ. She taught Bible study, supported Vacation Bible School, and lovingly baked for fellowship and funeral services. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Margie was wellknown for her exceptional talents as a gardener, seamstress, and cook. Whether mending, planting, baking, or serving, she used her gifts to greatly bless others. She was a woman of practicality and wit-often reminding her family with a smile, “We are not made out of money.” Margie is survived by her husband, J.C. Merriman of the home; and her children: Connie (Jim) Bryan of Ada, OK; Randy (Connie) Merriman of Holdenville, OK; Lisa (David) Ewing of Glenpool, OK; and Shawna (Darren) Thompson of Bethel, OK. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Laura Merriman of Oklahoma City, OK; Abbey (Cooper) Clayton of Claremore, OK; and Colby Thompson of Edmond, OK; and lastly, her sister, Sue Osmond of Tulsa, OK. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ira and Agnes Blackburn; her sisters Zelda (Carl) Morris, Alene (R.C.) Borders, Anna Lou (Odell) Hays, Janet Treat, and Peggy (Harold) Merriman; her brothers Boyce Blackburn, Glenn Blackburn, and David (Jane) Blackburn; and her grandson, Tyler Merriman and Brotherin-law, John Osmond.

Every year the Hughes County Conservation extends an invitation to all district schools to participate in the yearly OACD & NACD poster, essay, and speech contest. This year was an exceptional year for creativity and involvement.

The Holdenville Wolverine boys’ team traveled to Wewoka on Tuesday and although they didn’t win they managed to play well enough to convince folks that Coach Snow could have a highly competitive team. The Wolverines are young and have very few starters returning from last year’s team.

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Christmas as it was in Holdenville Twenty-five years ago. Reprinted from Holdenville Democrat, 1921 (Continued from Last Week) ...in the rear of the store, instead of seeing this old object, I see Phillips’ Racket store in its place. The John Marks building, where is it? Ah! The beautiful American state bank building now holds its place. Instead of the little frame building known as McShan’s hardware store I see the Farmers’ National bank building. I turn toward Dr. Way’s little frame drug store building but I see the beautiful First National bank building, later the Liberty state Bank, but now occupied by the Pever Kozy Korner confectionery. Across the street where the Henry Scales store building stood I see the present First National bank building, known as the McFarlin building, and the railroad commissary, where is it? I turn my thoughts once more down the street past the McShan hardware store looking for the Buchner hotel. That seemed to be a gathering place on evenings and Sunday afternoons for the young folks of the town. I see a solid block of beautiful business buildings known as the McShan block and as I search for the one particular spot where the old hotel stood I see D.F. Roberts and company dry goods store. I recall many pleasant times spent by the young folks at this place and especially do I recall the croq1uet yard at the side of the house where the young folks would congregate on Sunday afternoons to play and have a good time but they never failed to close their games, and go to the depot in time to see the train come in. We had so few amusements then for it must be remembered that the town was very small and in their eagerness for pleasure the youth grasped at many things and extracted from them much pleasure that our boys and girls would not see much pleasure in today.