Tatums —


Celebration of Life Services for Mrs. Gertie Mae (Franklin) Austin Hester, 83, of Tatums, is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday, November 15, 2011, at the Bethel Baptist Church of Tatums with Elder Lee White, Elder Rodney Rollerson and Pastor Paul Lawson officiating. Interment will follow at Tatums Cemetery. Services are under the care and direction of Alexander Funeral Home of Ratliff City.



Gertie was born February 4, 1928, at Tatums, to the late Mr. Mildres Franklin and Mrs. Lula Mae (Spencer) Franklin. She departed this life Thursday, November 10, 2011, at Ardmore.



Gertie was raised in Tatums attending school there. She met and fell in love in with Arthur G. Austin and they soon united in marriage raising their two children together, Roger Lee and Nina. Gertie was a dedicated mother and wife who was always faithful to her church when her health allowed. Her dedication did not end with only her children, but she was well known as a mother to many foster children as well. All the children knew her as "Aunt Gert". In 2007, she was united in marriage to her second husband Mr. Walter C. Hester. Gertie was a faithful member of the Bethel Baptist Church of Tatums and was always very active in the Church Choir.



Preceding her in death are her parents; both husbands, Arthur and Walter; son, Roger; sister Myrtle Austin; brothers, Melvin Franklin and Eugene Franklin.



Survivors include her daughter, Nina King of Ardmore; siblings, Marie McMillian, Mary Jane Taylor, both of Duncan, Margaret Collins, Rachel Marshall, Linda Wright, Martha Grisby, Mossie Doku, Gloria Shaw, all of Oklahoma City, and Otis Franklin of San Antonio; grandchildren, Tony Swan, Sharnel Douglas, Marcellous Smith, Stephanie Ruffin, Shellee Fancher, LaCree Austin and Lavonte Douglas; great-grandchildren, Jonathan Tease, D'Mitrous Smith, Savante Owens, Teeniesa Fancher and D'Shanti "Shorty" Fancher; numerous other family and friends.



Pallbearers are Takwon DeShazer, Oliver Swindell, Jr., Terry Jones, Selano Jones, Ceon Jones, and Tramaine Hooks.



Honorary Bearers are Armazeara Hooks, Earl Hooks, Robert Hooks, Dwain Hooks, Joe Ray Williams, Jeff McCreary, Oliver Swindell, Sr. and Ricky Austin.



Flower Girls are Katherine Brown, Fredia Cohee, Carlette Washington, Lecretia Austin, Centrelle Deshazer, Tina Allen and Gakara Hooks.



Family visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home in Ratliff City.



Condolences may be sent online to www.alexanderfuneralhome.org.

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