Edgar Ray Stevens, Sr.

Funeral services for Edgar Ray Stevens, Sr., of Soper, Okla., were held at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 3, 2022 at New Life Family Church in Boswell, Okla. Edgar passed away on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, at the age of 89. After several months of declining health, Edgar peacefully went to his heavenly home to be with his beloved wife, mother, sons and grandsons.

Edgar was born in Pickens, Okla., on July 20, 1932, to his mother, Esther Holmes Stevens. Edgar was an only child who received lots of love from his mother, aunts, uncles, and special friends, Daryl and Klara Kiser. Edgar and his mother attended and were members of Mt. Zion Methodist Church, where he also graduated from the Mt. Zion Indian School in righth grade. Edgar’s first language was Choctaw. He helped on the Kiser’s small farm/ranch and worked odd jobs trying to make it in the rodeo circuit starting at an early age. He loved bronc riding. He never left home without his cowboy hat, horse, and shepherd dog which he called Goody, and Jesus in his heart. He kept up with all the top cowboys in the 1950s who were in the rodeo circuit. His need to find additional work took him and his mother away from the mountains of Pickens to the cotton fields of Hollis, Okla., where he would end up meeting his future wife, Etta Mae Phillips. Then his journey began.

Edgar and Etta married in 1956 and made their home in Boswell, Okla. They had eleven children: Harry, Peggy, Vicky, Ricky, Edgar Jr., Rita, Betty, Anita, Mark, Rebecca and Wanda. Edgar and Etta enjoyed taking their children to Choctaw gospel singings across Oklahoma, where he loved singing and playing musical instruments, including the guitar, piano, and harmonica. He also loved taking his children to visit his mother in Pickens during the summertime. Edgar cherished his children and wanted each of them to not only know about Jesus, but to love Him as he did.

Edgar loved his grandchildren and helped raise many of them. Edgar was kind-hearted and could never get on to his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, or great-great-grandchildren. Edgar made sure all his grandchildren knew his favorite bible verse, John 3:16. Edgar was full of love, kindness and giving to others.

Edgar was preceded in death by his wife, Etta Mae Stevens; mother, Esther Holmes Stevens; sons: Teddy Ray Hicks, and Harry Phillips Stevens; and grandsons. He is survived by his children: Peggy Sanders, Vicky Allen, Ricky Stevens, Edgar Jr. Stevens, Rita Vinyard, Betty Logue, Anita Free, Mark Stevens, Rebecca Stevens Acuna, Wanda Vanderveen; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Interment followed the service at Good Spring Cemetery in Boswell with Chad Austin officiating, under the direction of Miller & Miller Funeral Home.