Gwindola Copeland Beshirs Obituary (1927 - 2015)

Gwindola "Olene" Copeland Beshirs, 87, a long-time resident of Broken Bow, OK and Durant, OK entered her heavenly home on Saturday, February 7, 2015 surrounded by loving family in Kerrville, TX where she had lived for the past 2 years. She was born on the edge of the Kiamichi Mountains of Oklahoma in the community of Rough Edge on September 18, 1927 to Millard and Luda Copeland, the first of six children. Olene attended school at Rough Edge and graduated high school at Battiest, OK. She enrolled in the Teacher Education Program at Southeastern State University in Durant, OK. While going to school and living on her own for the first time, Olene attended First Assembly of God Church in Durant where she met the love of her life. On January 31, 1947 she married Joe Beshirs in Durant and they were blessed with a son and 2 daughters as they began their lifetime calling of serving in the Pastoral Ministry. Olene once wrote, "Heaven is the place we are all striving for, living and preparing to go and some loved ones have just gone on a little while before us." She was referring to her son, James Aaron Beshirs (1947 - 1977). Others include her son-in-law, Dr. Dueward S. Wimberly, parents Millard and Luda Copeland, sisters, Joy Gresset, Loma McAdoo and Juanell Harper. Joe and Olene celebrated 68 years of marriage just eight days before her homegoing. In addition to Joe, the love of her life, she is also survived by her two daughters whom she adored: Sharon Wimberly Davis, husband Larry of Kerrville, TX and Kathy Park of San Angelo, TX, brothers, Cecil Copeland and wife Naomi and Lawrence Copeland all of Mason, MI. She is also survived by her grandchildren she loved so dearly, Leslie Williams and Monty, Shane Wimberly and Anya, Phillip Beshirs-Metzgar, Krissy Harrison and fianc Tony Blex, Angie Beshirs-Metzgar Shepard, Brad Wimberly and Leah, and Mandy Newman and Greg. The added "sparkle" in Olene?s life was the joy of her great-grandchildren, Bethany, Autumn, Landon, Jacob, Shannon, Vanson, Tristan, Karis, Baron, Selah, Brystal, Dawson, Eva, and Mimi. The main purpose in life for Olene was to encourage people to strive to make Heaven their home. She was a Bible scholar and loved teaching the adult Bible classes at many of their pastorates. She served as the Gulf Coast Section Women?s Ministry Director and also worked as a bookkeeper for the South Texas District Office of the Assemblies of God. One of her greatest joys was in being a pastor?s wife and serving alongside her husband for over 50 years in churches in Texas and Oklahoma. Olene enjoyed many hobbies which include quilting, sewing, arts and crafts, reading. She and Joe traveled in their 5th wheel to 48 of the United States and celebrated a birthday on an Alaskan Cruise. She was also well known for her cooking and entertaining skills. She had a servants heart and enjoyed cooking and hosting friends and relatives in her home. She was known to family and friends for her delicious fried pies and famous peanut brittle. She spent many hours cooking her specialties and making aprons and quilts to raise money for churches and the Chickasaw Nation Senior Citizens Center. Olene was a true Proverbs 31 woman! In Kerrville, Texas, family visitation will be at First Assembly of God, 901 Jefferson St. Kerrville, TX on Tuesday, February 10 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. Service will be at 1:00 pm Wednesday, February 11 at First Assembly of God, Kerrville, with Rev. Phil Jackson officiating. Interment will be in Durant, OK. In Durant, Oklahoma, service will be at 11:00 am Friday, February 13 at Believer?s Church on 49th Street in Durant, OK. Memorials may be given to Believer?s Church (formerly First Assembly of God) of Durant, OK. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gwindola Copeland Beshirs, please visit our floral store.