Virginia Oakley

Virginia P. "Jennie" Oakley Virginia Pauline Dowty was born September 6, 1928, near North Miami, Oklahoma. She was the oldest child of Claud Leroy and Jewel Irene (Chambers) Dowty; Jenny started school in 1934 at North Fairview rural school, and over the years attended Willow Creek (near Baxter Springs), and other Ottawa County schools, finishing her education at Commerce and Wyandotte. She had to drop out of school in the 10th grade to help at home. In 1946, she met Ralph Truman "Pee Wee" Oakley. They started going together on her eighteenth birthday, and six weeks later, they were wed. Jennie and Pee Wee were married on October 28, 1946 at Columbus, Kansas. Although both lived in Ottawa County, both told the clerk that they were from Treece, Kansas. They lived in a one room apartment in Commerce, with furniture made of powder (dynamite) boxes. Ralph and Virginia lived most of their lives in Ottawa County, with short stays in Missouri, before moving to Vinita in 1990. For over forty years, they worked on the farm for Dr. B. Wright Shelton, a Miami physician. On June 10, 1977, Virginia went to work for TRW Cinch Manufacturing. In 1978-79, she took GED Courses, getting her high school diploma. In January 1982, she took Blueprint classes at Cinch, passing them with flying colors! She also got her learners permit to drive. But she didn't like to get behind the wheel. Virginia Passed away Monday, April 26, 2010, at her home. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph in 2004, and her parents. Survivors include one brother Vernon and wife Donna Dowty, Butler, Missouri; and one sister, Alma Ruth Hilburn, El Dorado, Arkansas; Two Sons, Dennis Oakley, and wife Mary, of rural Vinita; Gary Oakley, and wife Karrie, of Vinita; Five grandchildren, Brian Oakley and wife Marsha, and children, Charity, Logan, and Keira, of Wichita, Kansas; Jill Havens, and husband Aaron, and children Otto and Wren, of Spring, Texas; Kevin Oakley, of rural Vinita; Sandy Jo Sowell, and husband James of Vinita, and Gary Lee Oakley Jr. of Cleveland, Oklahoma. Four step-Grandchildren, Christi and Gary Panther, Kenwood; Bear and Kristy Flechs, Nikki and Paul Hughes, and John and Kandis Flechs, John in the Army, stationed in Iraq; Twelve step-great-grandchildren: Kristopher Wolf, Joseph Wolf, Kyle Panther, Jason Panther, Damien Flechs, Dylan Flechs, Danika Flechs, Alex Villapando, Allysa Hughes, Abigail Hughes, and Deuce Flechs. The graveside funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday April 29, 2010 at the Sixkiller Cemetery south of Afton, with Pastor Bob Whitchurch officiating. Arrangements are by the Luginbuel Funeral Home of Vinita. Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemories.com.

Service Details

Thursday, April 29th, 2010 2:00pm, Sixkiller Cemetery

Interment Details

Sixkiller Cemetery