Lauraleen Farnham Moore Walker
HOUSTON — Lauraleen Farnham Moore Walker died Thursday, Sept. 5, 2002, in
Houston, at the Treemont Health Care Center.
Service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the First United Methodist Church of
Duncan. Burial will be in Duncan City Cemetery under the direction of Don
Grantham Funeral Home.
The family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral
home.
She had resided in Houston since April 1999, after an illness left her
unable to continue living in alone in her Duncan home. In her younger
years, she was prominent in Duncan as a teacher and musician. Until her
death, many former students remained regular correspondents and visitors.
In her later years, in the company of her husband, the late Charles
Walker, she traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and internationally.
Lauraleen was born Feb. 8, 1907, in Milburn, Indian Territory. She was the
daughter of Ralph and Daisy Burris Farnham. Her father moved to Indian
Territory from his birthplace in Iowa to work as a banker in Milburn. Her
mother was the daughter of Colbert Ashalatubby Burris, a distinguished
citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, and Laura Ann Bradley Burris. She had one
sibling, a younger sister, Sheneesta.
The family came to Duncan in 1916. Lauraleen graduated from Duncan High
School in 1923 and matriculated at Stephens College in Missouri. After
receiving her two-year degree, she entered the University of Oklahoma and
received her B.A. degree in history in 1927.
Her first teaching job was for Comanche Public Schools. While teaching,
she met and married a Comanche man, Joe David Moore. In December 1929, she
bore her only child, Joe Farnham Moore. The couple later divorced but
remained on cordial terms.
In 1932, she began teaching in Duncan, which led to an outstanding career
that lasted for 27 years. She began as an elementary teacher at Lee
School. She was promoted to Duncan Junior High School as a music teacher.
In 1942, she became high school music director, and shortly assumed added
responsibilities as director of all public school vocal music in Duncan.
She determined to advance her music capability through post-graduate work
in summer school. In 1942 and 1943, she took graduate studies at Columbia
University Teachers College in New York. Her earlier training in piano was
extended at Columbia, and she added a capability in organ.
After this training, she became an organist for the First Methodist Church
in Duncan.
The next summer, she switched her emphasis to choral conducting, with a
summer spent at the Fred Waring choral clinic. In 1945, she continued her
studies of choral conducting and repertoire at Lake Forest Academy in
Chicago, under the tutelage of Olaf C. Christianson and Morton J. Luvass
of St. Olafs College.
In 1943, she began a tradition of annually presenting operettas performed
by her high school students. In 1944, she began directing the principal
operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan. Duncan music fans were treated to these
high school productions for almost 15 years.
Lauraleen began another initiative to achieve vocal music excellence. She
focused on developing performers for state music competitions. By 1946,
Duncan vocal musicians were winning the top statewide awards in choir,
ensemble and solo performances, and the Duncan vocal music department was
widely acknowledged as the finest in Oklahoma.
Gratifyingly, her son, Joe Farnham, and her future daughter-in-law, Glenna
Killian, were leading participants in these achievements.
She was especially active in clubs. The Athene, Shakespeare, UDC clubs of
Duncan and the music clubs of Duncan, Oklahoma City and Tulsa counted her
as an active member.
In 1957, she married Charles Walker, another Duncan teacher. He left the
teaching profession to join FHA as a building inspector, remaining with
the agency until his retirement.
They lived in Durant, Bartlesville, Tulsa, Norman and Oklahoma City.
In addition, they traveled extensively to areas where Charles received
special assignments. By 1966, Mr. and Mrs. Farnham had both died and
Lauraleen and Charles had returned to Duncan, moving into the Farnham
house at 1001 Spruce. They spent much of their time traveling with friends
and relatives, attending OU football games, and visiting their children,
grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Charles Walker died in 1988, but Lauraleen continued to live on Spruce
until her move to Houston in 1999.
In August 2001, Lauraleen was able to sit for a five-generation portrait
in Houston with her son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter Ellen Miller and
husband, great-granddaughter Elizabeth Murphy and husband, and her great-
great-grandson, Andrew Murphy.
Her son Joe Farnham Moore and wife, Glenna; her grandchildren, Ellen and
Rod Miller, Joe Jr. and Therese Moore, Randall and Cherisse Moore, Michael
and Deborah Moore and Jane and Bernie Kampschmidt; 13 great-grandchildren;
and two great-great grandsons survive Lauraleen. Her stepdaughter, Beverly
Ben-Salem, and children Christopher and Alexandra; as well as Lauraleen's
sister, Sheneesta; and nieces Margaret Flansberg and Laura Lawrence also
survive her.
She lived a life of achievement, filled with the rewards of many
friendships and family love.
Bearers will be her grandsons, grandsons-in-law and great-grandson David
Miller.
In lieu of usual remembrances, friends may make donations to their
favorite charities or the First United Methodist Church in Duncan.
HOUSTON — Lauraleen Farnham Moore Walker died Thursday, Sept. 5, 2002, in
Houston, at the Treemont Health Care Center.
Service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the First United Methodist Church of
Duncan. Burial will be in Duncan City Cemetery under the direction of Don
Grantham Funeral Home.
The family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral
home.
She had resided in Houston since April 1999, after an illness left her
unable to continue living in alone in her Duncan home. In her younger
years, she was prominent in Duncan as a teacher and musician. Until her
death, many former students remained regular correspondents and visitors.
In her later years, in the company of her husband, the late Charles
Walker, she traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and internationally.
Lauraleen was born Feb. 8, 1907, in Milburn, Indian Territory. She was the
daughter of Ralph and Daisy Burris Farnham. Her father moved to Indian
Territory from his birthplace in Iowa to work as a banker in Milburn. Her
mother was the daughter of Colbert Ashalatubby Burris, a distinguished
citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, and Laura Ann Bradley Burris. She had one
sibling, a younger sister, Sheneesta.
The family came to Duncan in 1916. Lauraleen graduated from Duncan High
School in 1923 and matriculated at Stephens College in Missouri. After
receiving her two-year degree, she entered the University of Oklahoma and
received her B.A. degree in history in 1927.
Her first teaching job was for Comanche Public Schools. While teaching,
she met and married a Comanche man, Joe David Moore. In December 1929, she
bore her only child, Joe Farnham Moore. The couple later divorced but
remained on cordial terms.
In 1932, she began teaching in Duncan, which led to an outstanding career
that lasted for 27 years. She began as an elementary teacher at Lee
School. She was promoted to Duncan Junior High School as a music teacher.
In 1942, she became high school music director, and shortly assumed added
responsibilities as director of all public school vocal music in Duncan.
She determined to advance her music capability through post-graduate work
in summer school. In 1942 and 1943, she took graduate studies at Columbia
University Teachers College in New York. Her earlier training in piano was
extended at Columbia, and she added a capability in organ.
After this training, she became an organist for the First Methodist Church
in Duncan.
The next summer, she switched her emphasis to choral conducting, with a
summer spent at the Fred Waring choral clinic. In 1945, she continued her
studies of choral conducting and repertoire at Lake Forest Academy in
Chicago, under the tutelage of Olaf C. Christianson and Morton J. Luvass
of St. Olafs College.
In 1943, she began a tradition of annually presenting operettas performed
by her high school students. In 1944, she began directing the principal
operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan. Duncan music fans were treated to these
high school productions for almost 15 years.
Lauraleen began another initiative to achieve vocal music excellence. She
focused on developing performers for state music competitions. By 1946,
Duncan vocal musicians were winning the top statewide awards in choir,
ensemble and solo performances, and the Duncan vocal music department was
widely acknowledged as the finest in Oklahoma.
Gratifyingly, her son, Joe Farnham, and her future daughter-in-law, Glenna
Killian, were leading participants in these achievements.
She was especially active in clubs. The Athene, Shakespeare, UDC clubs of
Duncan and the music clubs of Duncan, Oklahoma City and Tulsa counted her
as an active member.
In 1957, she married Charles Walker, another Duncan teacher. He left the
teaching profession to join FHA as a building inspector, remaining with
the agency until his retirement.
They lived in Durant, Bartlesville, Tulsa, Norman and Oklahoma City.
In addition, they traveled extensively to areas where Charles received
special assignments. By 1966, Mr. and Mrs. Farnham had both died and
Lauraleen and Charles had returned to Duncan, moving into the Farnham
house at 1001 Spruce. They spent much of their time traveling with friends
and relatives, attending OU football games, and visiting their children,
grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Charles Walker died in 1988, but Lauraleen continued to live on Spruce
until her move to Houston in 1999.
In August 2001, Lauraleen was able to sit for a five-generation portrait
in Houston with her son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter Ellen Miller and
husband, great-granddaughter Elizabeth Murphy and husband, and her great-
great-grandson, Andrew Murphy.
Her son Joe Farnham Moore and wife, Glenna; her grandchildren, Ellen and
Rod Miller, Joe Jr. and Therese Moore, Randall and Cherisse Moore, Michael
and Deborah Moore and Jane and Bernie Kampschmidt; 13 great-grandchildren;
and two great-great grandsons survive Lauraleen. Her stepdaughter, Beverly
Ben-Salem, and children Christopher and Alexandra; as well as Lauraleen's
sister, Sheneesta; and nieces Margaret Flansberg and Laura Lawrence also
survive her.
She lived a life of achievement, filled with the rewards of many
friendships and family love.
Bearers will be her grandsons, grandsons-in-law and great-grandson David
Miller.
In lieu of usual remembrances, friends may make donations to their
favorite charities or the First United Methodist Church in Duncan.
Lauraleen Farnham Moore Walker
HOUSTON — Lauraleen Farnham Moore Walker died Thursday, Sept. 5, 2002, in
Houston, at the Treemont Health Care Center.
Service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the First United Methodist Church of
Duncan. Burial will be in Duncan City Cemetery under the direction of Don
Grantham Funeral Home.
The family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral
home.
She had resided in Houston since April 1999, after an illness left her
unable to continue living in alone in her Duncan home. In her younger
years, she was prominent in Duncan as a teacher and musician. Until her
death, many former students remained regular correspondents and visitors.
In her later years, in the company of her husband, the late Charles
Walker, she traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and internationally.
Lauraleen was born Feb. 8, 1907, in Milburn, Indian Territory. She was the
daughter of Ralph and Daisy Burris Farnham. Her father moved to Indian
Territory from his birthplace in Iowa to work as a banker in Milburn. Her
mother was the daughter of Colbert Ashalatubby Burris, a distinguished
citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, and Laura Ann Bradley Burris. She had one
sibling, a younger sister, Sheneesta.
The family came to Duncan in 1916. Lauraleen graduated from Duncan High
School in 1923 and matriculated at Stephens College in Missouri. After
receiving her two-year degree, she entered the University of Oklahoma and
received her B.A. degree in history in 1927.
Her first teaching job was for Comanche Public Schools. While teaching,
she met and married a Comanche man, Joe David Moore. In December 1929, she
bore her only child, Joe Farnham Moore. The couple later divorced but
remained on cordial terms.
In 1932, she began teaching in Duncan, which led to an outstanding career
that lasted for 27 years. She began as an elementary teacher at Lee
School. She was promoted to Duncan Junior High School as a music teacher.
In 1942, she became high school music director, and shortly assumed added
responsibilities as director of all public school vocal music in Duncan.
She determined to advance her music capability through post-graduate work
in summer school. In 1942 and 1943, she took graduate studies at Columbia
University Teachers College in New York. Her earlier training in piano was
extended at Columbia, and she added a capability in organ.
After this training, she became an organist for the First Methodist Church
in Duncan.
The next summer, she switched her emphasis to choral conducting, with a
summer spent at the Fred Waring choral clinic. In 1945, she continued her
studies of choral conducting and repertoire at Lake Forest Academy in
Chicago, under the tutelage of Olaf C. Christianson and Morton J. Luvass
of St. Olafs College.
In 1943, she began a tradition of annually presenting operettas performed
by her high school students. In 1944, she began directing the principal
operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan. Duncan music fans were treated to these
high school productions for almost 15 years.
Lauraleen began another initiative to achieve vocal music excellence. She
focused on developing performers for state music competitions. By 1946,
Duncan vocal musicians were winning the top statewide awards in choir,
ensemble and solo performances, and the Duncan vocal music department was
widely acknowledged as the finest in Oklahoma.
Gratifyingly, her son, Joe Farnham, and her future daughter-in-law, Glenna
Killian, were leading participants in these achievements.
She was especially active in clubs. The Athene, Shakespeare, UDC clubs of
Duncan and the music clubs of Duncan, Oklahoma City and Tulsa counted her
as an active member.
In 1957, she married Charles Walker, another Duncan teacher. He left the
teaching profession to join FHA as a building inspector, remaining with
the agency until his retirement.
They lived in Durant, Bartlesville, Tulsa, Norman and Oklahoma City.
In addition, they traveled extensively to areas where Charles received
special assignments. By 1966, Mr. and Mrs. Farnham had both died and
Lauraleen and Charles had returned to Duncan, moving into the Farnham
house at 1001 Spruce. They spent much of their time traveling with friends
and relatives, attending OU football games, and visiting their children,
grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Charles Walker died in 1988, but Lauraleen continued to live on Spruce
until her move to Houston in 1999.
In August 2001, Lauraleen was able to sit for a five-generation portrait
in Houston with her son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter Ellen Miller and
husband, great-granddaughter Elizabeth Murphy and husband, and her great-
great-grandson, Andrew Murphy.
Her son Joe Farnham Moore and wife, Glenna; her grandchildren, Ellen and
Rod Miller, Joe Jr. and Therese Moore, Randall and Cherisse Moore, Michael
and Deborah Moore and Jane and Bernie Kampschmidt; 13 great-grandchildren;
and two great-great grandsons survive Lauraleen. Her stepdaughter, Beverly
Ben-Salem, and children Christopher and Alexandra; as well as Lauraleen's
sister, Sheneesta; and nieces Margaret Flansberg and Laura Lawrence also
survive her.
She lived a life of achievement, filled with the rewards of many
friendships and family love.
Bearers will be her grandsons, grandsons-in-law and great-grandson David
Miller.
In lieu of usual remembrances, friends may make donations to their
favorite charities or the First United Methodist Church in Duncan.
HOUSTON — Lauraleen Farnham Moore Walker died Thursday, Sept. 5, 2002, in
Houston, at the Treemont Health Care Center.
Service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the First United Methodist Church of
Duncan. Burial will be in Duncan City Cemetery under the direction of Don
Grantham Funeral Home.
The family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral
home.
She had resided in Houston since April 1999, after an illness left her
unable to continue living in alone in her Duncan home. In her younger
years, she was prominent in Duncan as a teacher and musician. Until her
death, many former students remained regular correspondents and visitors.
In her later years, in the company of her husband, the late Charles
Walker, she traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and internationally.
Lauraleen was born Feb. 8, 1907, in Milburn, Indian Territory. She was the
daughter of Ralph and Daisy Burris Farnham. Her father moved to Indian
Territory from his birthplace in Iowa to work as a banker in Milburn. Her
mother was the daughter of Colbert Ashalatubby Burris, a distinguished
citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, and Laura Ann Bradley Burris. She had one
sibling, a younger sister, Sheneesta.
The family came to Duncan in 1916. Lauraleen graduated from Duncan High
School in 1923 and matriculated at Stephens College in Missouri. After
receiving her two-year degree, she entered the University of Oklahoma and
received her B.A. degree in history in 1927.
Her first teaching job was for Comanche Public Schools. While teaching,
she met and married a Comanche man, Joe David Moore. In December 1929, she
bore her only child, Joe Farnham Moore. The couple later divorced but
remained on cordial terms.
In 1932, she began teaching in Duncan, which led to an outstanding career
that lasted for 27 years. She began as an elementary teacher at Lee
School. She was promoted to Duncan Junior High School as a music teacher.
In 1942, she became high school music director, and shortly assumed added
responsibilities as director of all public school vocal music in Duncan.
She determined to advance her music capability through post-graduate work
in summer school. In 1942 and 1943, she took graduate studies at Columbia
University Teachers College in New York. Her earlier training in piano was
extended at Columbia, and she added a capability in organ.
After this training, she became an organist for the First Methodist Church
in Duncan.
The next summer, she switched her emphasis to choral conducting, with a
summer spent at the Fred Waring choral clinic. In 1945, she continued her
studies of choral conducting and repertoire at Lake Forest Academy in
Chicago, under the tutelage of Olaf C. Christianson and Morton J. Luvass
of St. Olafs College.
In 1943, she began a tradition of annually presenting operettas performed
by her high school students. In 1944, she began directing the principal
operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan. Duncan music fans were treated to these
high school productions for almost 15 years.
Lauraleen began another initiative to achieve vocal music excellence. She
focused on developing performers for state music competitions. By 1946,
Duncan vocal musicians were winning the top statewide awards in choir,
ensemble and solo performances, and the Duncan vocal music department was
widely acknowledged as the finest in Oklahoma.
Gratifyingly, her son, Joe Farnham, and her future daughter-in-law, Glenna
Killian, were leading participants in these achievements.
She was especially active in clubs. The Athene, Shakespeare, UDC clubs of
Duncan and the music clubs of Duncan, Oklahoma City and Tulsa counted her
as an active member.
In 1957, she married Charles Walker, another Duncan teacher. He left the
teaching profession to join FHA as a building inspector, remaining with
the agency until his retirement.
They lived in Durant, Bartlesville, Tulsa, Norman and Oklahoma City.
In addition, they traveled extensively to areas where Charles received
special assignments. By 1966, Mr. and Mrs. Farnham had both died and
Lauraleen and Charles had returned to Duncan, moving into the Farnham
house at 1001 Spruce. They spent much of their time traveling with friends
and relatives, attending OU football games, and visiting their children,
grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Charles Walker died in 1988, but Lauraleen continued to live on Spruce
until her move to Houston in 1999.
In August 2001, Lauraleen was able to sit for a five-generation portrait
in Houston with her son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter Ellen Miller and
husband, great-granddaughter Elizabeth Murphy and husband, and her great-
great-grandson, Andrew Murphy.
Her son Joe Farnham Moore and wife, Glenna; her grandchildren, Ellen and
Rod Miller, Joe Jr. and Therese Moore, Randall and Cherisse Moore, Michael
and Deborah Moore and Jane and Bernie Kampschmidt; 13 great-grandchildren;
and two great-great grandsons survive Lauraleen. Her stepdaughter, Beverly
Ben-Salem, and children Christopher and Alexandra; as well as Lauraleen's
sister, Sheneesta; and nieces Margaret Flansberg and Laura Lawrence also
survive her.
She lived a life of achievement, filled with the rewards of many
friendships and family love.
Bearers will be her grandsons, grandsons-in-law and great-grandson David
Miller.
In lieu of usual remembrances, friends may make donations to their
favorite charities or the First United Methodist Church in Duncan.
Family Members
Half Siblings
Children
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
