July 10, 2021 Issue, Page 9 of 10

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July 10, 2021 9 Community The Real-Life Notebook: Elk City Baptist Village couple leaves the world together, as they wished spent their final few hours together in Great Plains Regional Medical Center’s intensive care unit. elk ciTy sure that it was the central focus in their marriage and that their girls made it the central focus in our lives. They were wonderful Beckham county Man charged with Firearm Felony am county Man charged with Firearm Felony “It truly was like watching The Notebook in real life,” gushed their daughter, Kathy Smith. “My parents received the best care imaginable with the Baptist Village and Great Plains. I really want to brag on Great Plains for understanding that what they JAil log examples of how to live and how to love,” Kathy explained. Over the weekend, Jim and Barbara both drew their last breaths of air at Great Plains Regional Medical Center. Barbara, 84, had been in the hospital previously. Kathy needed was to be together. That was the best way to care for stated that she had been suffering from dementia since she was them at that time.” about 80. Kathy has been a longtime resident of Elk City. She had “Daddy was a wonderful caregiver to her. That was his num- moved to Elk City years ago after marrying her college sweet- ber one priority. He didn’t want to ever leave her,” Kathy stated. heart, Mike. The pair met at Southwestern Oklahoma State After Barbara was discharged, Jim began having oxygen University in Weatherford. issues and was admitted into GPRMC’s ICU. Unfortunately, not As an Elk City native, Mike had always wanted to return to elk ciTy his hometown to raise their family. So when the opportunity long after, Barbara’s oxygen also declined. arose for him to buy a State Farm Insurance agency in Elk City, “Her levels were like at a 40 when she got to the emergency Mike and Kathy moved home with their three young children in room,” said granddaughter Lauren Williamson, also an Elk City the early 1990s. Through that foundational move, her parents, Jim and Barbara, came to live at Elk City’s Baptist Village on the memory JAil log co. BeckhAM resident. “Then when she got to Granddaddy, her levels went back up to her normal range. The hospital staff understood how important it was for them to be together. They pushed together JAil log unit a few years ago. two beds in the ICU. She died on Saturday evening while she was Jim and Barbara Parrish passed away within a day of each Jim and Barbara had lived an adventurous life with his work holding my Granddaddy’s hands.” other last week at Great Plains Regional Medical Center. in the textile business, taking them from their Kentucky home- The following afternoon, her Granddaddy also died. GPRMC has coined the devoted couple the “Real Life Note- land to live throughout the country. “Daddy basically waited for the last of his daughters to ar- book.”. Courtesy photo. “Mama was 12 and Daddy was 15 when they first met,” rive, and then he went to join Mama about five minutes later. Kathy recounted. “He was a farmer, so he was able to get his If they had their choice on how they would leave this world, license at 15. To see each other, they would find somewhere this would have been in it. Our hearts are broken to lose them. By Shonda Little there in central Kentucky to go to church about every night of I keep thinking that I have cried all the tears that I can, and the week. They married when he was 19, and she was 16. He was then another round of tears come. While our hearts are broken, In 2004 American moviegoers flocked to theaters to see The really her only boyfriend, her lifelong boyfriend. They had us BeckhAM co. we are grateful that we won’t have to watch either one mourn Notebook, the heartwarming romantic saga that told the epic four girls. Daddy was very outnumbered in that way. He had to for the other. They would have been so devastated being apart story of lifelong lovers Noah and Allie. With Rachel McAdams live in that house full of women. Mama was the disciplinarian. that it would have just been agony for them. My parents were JAil log and Ryan Gosling starring in the principal roles, the fictional Never once did I hear her say, ‘Wait until your father is home.’ flick recounted the youthful love story of an aging married made for each other. They spent their entire lives together, and He was the softer one of the two and lived by the old adage that couple living out their final days in a nursing home. Oklahoma it brings us comfort that they went to Heaven together,” Kathy if Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy. He treated Mama like native James Garner portrayed the older Noah as he read and the queen of our house, and she sure was the queen of his heart. whispered. re-read a notebook to his wife who is suffering from dementia, They weren’t much for being television people. They loved to Much like they shared their lives, Jim and Barbara have a craftily played by Gena Rowlands. play cards with each other, even before we came along. In the joint obituary. On Friday, their funerals will be held in unison in The sleeper hit had been adapted from Nicholas Sparks’s summertime, they were always outside playing badminton. In Woodward. 1996 bestseller of the same name. As a result, generations of the winter, it was cards and games.” “If it would have been possible, we would have put them American moviegoers have cherished the movie for nearly two Jim’s work eventually led him to Woodward, where he helped in the same casket. That just wasn’t able to work, but they will decades. start the Fruit of the Loom factory. leave together in the way that they would have wanted. I see This past weekend the family of Jim and Barbara Parrish did “Daddy was always busy in the Jaycees and Kiwanis. Mother their example in my marriage and my children’s marriages. They not need to sit down in front of the television to be reminded of would always teach Sunday School. It was important to them taught us how to love our families and each other and, most the tale. to be actively involved civically and in their church. The most importantly, God. They were better than any movie. We all feel Instead, they watched it in real life as the married couple important thing, though, was their love of the Lord. They made so blessed that God gave them to us,” Kathy expressed. elk ciTy Washita DAR meet elk ciTy JAil log JAil log Washita Chapter NSDAR virtual congress meeting, but and Luanne Eisler gave the met for the June 2021 meeting accomplished and the 130th Commentary on the Pledge of at the Café Clinton . The Re- Continental Congress was Allegiance by Red Skelton. gent opened the meeting with held. Members were reminded the DAR ritual with members National Defense given by that the Naturalization cer- Evelyn Hart, Doris Minor, Kay Ellena Womack on the Celebra- emony would be held on July Hagerman and Nancy Lisle, tion of Flag Day. “Flag Day is 30th at the Federal Court BeckhAM co. Marilyn Wilson assisting. Robetha Feriss received her celebrated on June 14, com- memorating the American Room. The meeting was closed with BeckhAM co. JAil log DAR pin and a welcome into the Washita Chapter by Dari flag and the day in 1777 when it was adopted by the Second the reading of The Daughter’s JAil log Pledge. Hart and Regent Batterton. Continental Congress. Numer- Members attending were: The President General’s let- ous flags / banners were fought CarolAnn Betterton, Luanne ter was given by Linda Stewart under during the Revolution- Eisler, Robertha Ferris, gloria encouraging the members to ary War. Congress s specified Hargrave, Dari Hart, Evelyn be a part of the National Con- that this new American flag Hart, Kay Hagerman, Nancy gress this year thru what it would have 24 stripes of al- Lisle, Doris Minor, Linda Stew- Members, Luanne Eisler, Regent Carol Ann Batterton, and Dari Hart welcome new mem- will be …..a Virtual Congress. ternating red and white with ber Roberta Ferris to the Washita Chapter NSDAR at the June meeting 2021 at the Café art, Marilyn Wilson and Ellena It will be the unveiling of our a union of 13 white stars on a Clinton. Courtesy photo.. Womack. newly restored DAR Constitu- field of blue.” June 14, 1877 tion Hall . She expressed her marked the 100th anniversary gratefulness to all of those that and was observed nationally “attended” via the Congress Cut Outs effort. There were for the first time. The program was given by The right emotions can be useful in investing thousands of members that Doris Minor on the American responded to participating in Flag. She explained the fold- You may have heard that it’s track toward achieving them. coverage, but it might not be your resources – or depend on this. (In lieu of that person ing of the flag and what each important to take the emo- To illustrate: You may want sufficient, so you may want to your grown children for finan- seated there was a cutout of of the thirteen folds stood for. tions out of investing. But is to see your children graduate supplement it with your own cial help. them placed in a seat.) It was She read the poem by Ruth Ap- this true for all emotions? from college someday. Can you policy. a challenge to orchestrate this person Rous , I AM THE FLAG, To keep your financial inde- Certainly, some emotions visualize them walking across Furthermore, you may need can potentially harm your in- the stage, diplomas in hand? to protect your loved ones pendence and avoid possibly vestment success. Consider If so, to help realize this goal, from another threat – your burdening your family, you fear. If the financial markets you might find yourself ready own vulnerability to the need may want to consult with a fi- are going through a down peri- and willing to contribute to a for long-term care. Someone nancial professional who can od – which is actually a normal college savings vehicle, such as turning age 65 today has al- recommend a strategy and ap- part of the investment land- a 529 plan. Or consider your most a 70% chance of even- propriate solutions to cover scape – you might be so afraid own retirement: Can you see tually needing some type of long-term care costs. of sustaining losses that you yourself traveling or pursuing long-term care, according to sell even the investments that your hobbies or taking part in the U.S. Department of Health By drawing on positive emo- have good prospects and are whatever activities you’ve en- and Human Services. This type tions, you can empower your- suitable for your needs. visioned for your retirement of care, such as an extended self to make the right financial Greed is another negative lifestyle? If you can keep this nursing home stay or the help moves throughout your life. emotion. When the financial happy picture in mind, you of a home health aide, is ex- markets are rising, you might may find it easier to maintain tremely expensive, and, for This article was written by Ed- be so motivated to “cash in” the discipline needed to con- the most part, is outside the on some big gains that you sistently invest in your IRA, reach of Medicare. So, to pay ward Jones provided by Robert will keep purchasing invest- 401(k) or other investment ac- for long-term care, you might Stephens of Edward Jones Finan- ments that might already be counts. have to drain a good part of cial Advisor. overpriced – and since these Another motivating force investments are already expen- is the most powerful emotion School is almost back in session! sive, your dollars will buy fewer of all – love. If you have loved We want to hear from your kids! shares. ones who depend on you, such In short, the combination of as a spouse and children, you fear and greed could cause you need to protect their future. Edward Jones, Member SIPC Ask them what they are most excited about this school year and submit their answers to trouble. One key element of this protec- [email protected] for a chance to be featured But other emotions may tion is the life insurance neces- d Jones | 2014 W. 3rd | Elk City, OK 73644 in our Back To School Section! prove useful. For example, if sary to take care of your fami- Include their name, age and grade with their submi- tion by July 20, 2021. you can channel the joy you’ll feel upon achieving your in- ly’s needs – housing, education and so on – should something Robert Stephens | F (580) 225-3156 | r vestment goals, you may be happen to you. Your employerephens |(580) 225-3156 Financial Advisor | [email protected] more motivated to stay on may offer group life insurance