Claudia Orr

Claudia Wooten Orr, 99, a long time resident and educator of Okmulgee, passed away, Sunday, May 8, 2011. Claudia was born on February 17, 1912 in Box, Oklahoma in Cleveland County to Walter John and Virtie Kiser Wooten. She graduated from Wanette High School in 1931. After graduation, she attended East Central State College in Ada, Oklahoma until 1933 when she moved to Okmulgee, Oklahoma. She received her B.S. degree in Education from East Central in 1937 and in 1952 she received her Master’s degree from Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College in Stillwater, Oklahoma and a Counselor’s Certificate from the University of Tulsa in 1970. She studied further at Northeastern State University (Tahlequah), Southeastern Oklahoma State University (Durant), University of Utah (Salt Lake City), in New York City and Detroit, Michigan. Her teaching career began in 1934. She taught at the Coalton School for one year, then at Wilson Consolidated No.7 for four years, Bokoshe one year and Schulter for two years. In 1944, she began a 31 year experience with the Okmulgee Public Schools, beginning the first four years in the 4th grade at Emerson. Then from 1948 to 1964, she taught in the 4th, 5th and 6th grades at Wilson Elementary School. In 1965, she taught Math at Okmulgee High School. Beginning in 1966, she was Elementary Coordinator for the eight elementary schools. She was transferred in January 1969to Okmulgee High School as Dean of Girls and Counselor. She served in that capacity until she retired from Okmulgee Public Schools in 1975. She assisted in setting up the Adult Education Program in Okmulgee and from 1979 to 1991 she taught math at OSU-Okmulgee to students who needed to complete their GED. Then she retired for the second time. Claudia has been a member of the OREA (Oklahoma Retired Education Association), Okmulgee County Retired School Employees Association, NEA (National Education Association), OEA (Oklahoma Education Association), National Association for Guidance and Counseling, Oklahoma Personnel in Guidance and Counseling, Association of Elementary Supervisors, PTA (Parent Teacher Association, AAUW (American Association of University Women), AARP (American Association of Retired Persons), Kappa Mu Epsilon (Mathematics Fraternity), Gamma Epsilon Alpha, Phi Kappa Phi (Honor Society), DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), Ball (Be Active Live Longer), and Women’s Ministry. She also was a founding member of The Classroom Teachers in Okmulgee and served as its president for two years. Over the years, she has held other offices in the organizations, which she has been a member. Claudia was also an active member of the First Assembly of God Church in Okmulgee where she has been a Sunday school teacher for many years. She enjoyed working in her church, gardening, reading, working puzzles, Sudoku, sewing, playing solitaire, walking and attending meetings. Claudia was married to Lydle Orr from 1941 until his death in 1991. She was also preceded in death by one brother, Tannis Wooten; and five sisters, Zenobia Scott, Jewell Scheomann, Wilma Ballard, Ruby Coon and Mabel Dunnaway. She is survived by one daughter Carolyn and her husband David Jones of Okmulgee, one granddaughter, Heather Harley, a great-grandson Austin Harley, several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 3 PM at the Morris Cemetery Chapel with Pastor Raymond Doke officiating. Services are under the direction of the McClendon-Winters Funeral Home in Okmulgee. As an expression of sympathy donations may be sent to: First Assembly of God, 301 N. Seminole, Okmulgee, OK 74447 or Hope Harbor Children’s Home, P.O. Box 1047, Claremore, OK 74018-9915. Condolences may be made at mcclendon-winters.com. Claudia Wooten Orr, 99, a long time resident and educator of Okmulgee, passed away, Sunday, May 8, 2011. Claudia was born on February 17, 1912 in Box, Oklahoma in Cleveland County to Walter John and Virtie Kiser Wooten. She graduated from Wanette High School in 1931. After graduation, she attended East Central State College in Ada, Oklahoma until 1933 when she moved to Okmulgee, Oklahoma. She received her B.S. degree in Education from East Central in 1937 and in 1952 she received her Master’s degree from Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College in Stillwater, Oklahoma and a Counselor’s Certificate from the University of Tulsa in 1970. She studied further at Northeastern State University (Tahlequah), Southeastern Oklahoma State University (Durant), University of Utah (Salt Lake City), in New York City and Detroit, Michigan. Her teaching career began in 1934. She taught at the Coalton School for one year, then at Wilson Consolidated No.7 for four years, Bokoshe one year and Schulter for two years. In 1944, she began a 31 year experience with the Okmulgee Public Schools, beginning the first four years in the 4th grade at Emerson. Then from 1948 to 1964, she taught in the 4th, 5th and 6th grades at Wilson Elementary School. In 1965, she taught Math at Okmulgee High School. Beginning in 1966, she was Elementary Coordinator for the eight elementary schools. She was transferred in January 1969to Okmulgee High School as Dean of Girls and Counselor. She served in that capacity until she retired from Okmulgee Public Schools in 1975. She assisted in setting up the Adult Education Program in Okmulgee and from 1979 to 1991 she taught math at OSU-Okmulgee to students who needed to complete their GED. Then she retired for the second time. Claudia has been a member of the OREA (Oklahoma Retired Education Association), Okmulgee County Retired School Employees Association, NEA (National Education Association), OEA (Oklahoma Education Association), National Association for Guidance and Counseling, Oklahoma Personnel in Guidance and Counseling, Association of Elementary Supervisors, PTA (Parent Teacher Association, AAUW (American Association of University Women), AARP (American Association of Retired Persons), Kappa Mu Epsilon (Mathematics Fraternity), Gamma Epsilon Alpha, Phi Kappa Phi (Honor Society), DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), Ball (Be Active Live Longer), and Women’s Ministry. She also was a founding member of The Classroom Teachers in Okmulgee and served as its president for two years. Over the years, she has held other offices in the organizations, which she has been a member. Claudia was also an active member of the First Assembly of God Church in Okmulgee where she has been a Sunday school teacher for many years. She enjoyed working in her church, gardening, reading, working puzzles, Sudoku, sewing, playing solitaire, walking and attending meetings. Claudia was married to Lydle Orr from 1941 until his death in 1991. She was also preceded in death by one brother, Tannis Wooten; and five sisters, Zenobia Scott, Jewell Scheomann, Wilma Ballard, Ruby Coon and Mabel Dunnaway. She is survived by one daughter Carolyn and her husband David Jones of Okmulgee, one granddaughter, Heather Harley, a great-grandson Austin Harley, several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 3 PM at the Morris Cemetery Chapel with Pastor Raymond Doke officiating. Services are under the direction of the McClendon-Winters Funeral Home in Okmulgee. As an expression of sympathy donations may be sent to: First Assembly of God, 301 N. Seminole, Okmulgee, OK 74447 or Hope Harbor Children’s Home, P.O. Box 1047, Claremore, OK 74018-9915. Condolences may be made at mcclendon-winters.com.

Claudia Orr

February 17, 1912 - May 8, 2011