Wilma N. Costner Ervin Lee, age 91, of Poteau, was born July 10, 1927 in Panama, Ok to Elbert L. and Jewel Costner. She passed away Wednesday, October 24, 2018 at Mercy Hospice Center in Fort Smith, Ar.
Wilma was a retired educator and social worker. She obtained her Bachelor of Education, following in the footsteps of her parents, from the University of Oklahoma at Norman. She taught English, as well as other subjects, at several schools throughout Oklahoma before moving to California, where she became a social worker for the County of Orange. She retired from social work in 1988 and returned to Oklahoma. After retirement, she became employed by the state of Oklahoma as a part-time teacher with the POWER 1 program teaching English and life skills from 1997-2015.
Wilma was a member of First Baptist Church of Poteau where she taught Sunday School classes for many years. She was a member of Poteau Alumni Association, Women’s League, LeFlore County Historical Society, and LeFlore County Democratic Party.
She is survived by her son, Jim E. Ervin and wife Judy of Poteau, granddaughters Susan Ice and husband Bill of Wylie, TX, Shelley Grier and husband Ken of Mission Viejo, CA, Kathryn Morehouse and husband Jeff of Las Flores, CA, Nicole Yelverton and husband R.J. Of Siloam Springs, AR, and brother, Clay Costner of Whittier, CA. She is also survived by 17 great grandchildren, step-daughters, Susan and Becky, and Sister-in-law, Noma Curtis and husband Charles, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and a host of friends and loved ones.
She is preceded in death by her second husband, James Lee, first husband, Jim D. Ervin, father of son, Jim E. Ervin, her parents, Elbert L. and Jewel Costner, sisters, Wanda Gammell and Winona Selkirk and husband Larry, as well as step-son, James Lee II and sister-in-law, Ramona Mitchell.
Her family and friends will remember her love of OU Football, her gentle and kind-hearted words, her ability to see the beauty in all things, love of nature, and desire to always put others’ needs before her own.
Please join her family for a visitation at Evans & Miller Funeral Home in Poteau, on Thursday, November 1st from 6:00-8:00 pm to share memories and love of Wilma. Services to be determined at a later date.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers you consider a donation to the LeFlore County Museum in memory of Wilma.
You may leave an online message at www.evansandmillerfuneralhomes.com
The family has chosen to entrust the care of the services to Evans & Miller Funeral Home, POTEAU, OK
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