Frieda M. Stovall Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Frieda Marie (Becker) Stovall, 84, of Quapaw, OK, passed away peacefully in her home Friday, March 12, 2021, surrounded by her loving family. After being diagnosed with ampullary cancer in February 2019, she defied the odds and lived her last two years much like she lived her entire life – enjoying time with family and taking care of those around her. Frieda was born on May 15th, 1936 in Baileyville, Kansas to Henry and Esther Becker. One of 11 children, Frieda’s childhood years were filled with the rigors of farm life and Catholic schooling. After chores and schoolwork, the Becker home was often where friends gathered for supper (Frieda was known as an excellent cook), ping-pong games and sing-a-longs (with Frieda at the piano). She graduated Everest (KS) High School in 1954 with a scholarship to attend secretarial school in Kansas City, MO. After several months, she left school and took a job with Sinclair Oil where she met the love of her life, Roscoe Stovall. Roscoe and Frieda married on August 17, 1957 and lived in Kansas City where six of their seven children were born. They moved to Quapaw, OK, in 1965 where she joined Sacred Heart Catholic Church, began an 18-year career in the shipping department at the BF Goodrich plant in Miami, and became an active member of the local community. Frieda was known throughout the plant as the woman who kept things moving and built life-long friendships with co-workers and shippers. With seven children in the Quapaw school system, Frieda was instrumental in beginning the band program there and spent more than one sleepless night sewing cheerleading uniforms and pompoms. As a member of the Ottawa County Home and Community Education (OHCE) organization for more than 50 years, she helped make and deliver thousands of tooth fairy pillows to delighted school children. She served as President, VP and Secretary for the local Spring River OHCE, received the Ottawa County Heart of OHCE Award in 2013, and was honored as Ottawa County Homemaker of the Year in 1980. Frieda was a member of the Sacred Heart Altar Society for 55 years, serving in several leadership roles during that time. She also served as parish organist, parish council member, Gabriel Project prayer angel, Eucharistic minister, and was a member of the Legion of Mary. In 2019, Frieda was recognized by the National Council of Catholic Women as an Outstanding Woman of Achievement. When the BF Goodrich plant closed in 1986, Frieda retired and focused on her trademark passion of serving others. She received the Clara Barton Honor Award for Meritorious Volunteer Leadership from the American Red Cross in 1998 and served as Vice-President and board member for the Ottawa County Chapter. She also served as a volunteer at the Community Crisis Center, and spent several years serving in-home health needs for the elderly. In addition to serving others, Frieda’s adventurous side surprised many. She placed 1st in the 2012 National Hand Cornhusking Contest (without formal training, she would tell you), made pilgrimages to Lourdes and Fatima in 2017, and to the Holy Land in Fall 2019. Celebrating milestone birthdays, she spent her 75th swimming with dolphins in Mexico and jumped out of an airplane on a tandem skydive for her 80th. Despite doctor’s timelines and health challenges, she forged ahead, remaining active and even hosting family events up through Christmas 2020. Frieda is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Emmett Becker, Leo Becker and Joe Becker, her sister, Alice Keller, her husband, Roscoe, and their children John Stovall, David Stovall, and Anita Bartholomew. She is survived by her brothers Paul Becker (Mary), John Becker (Pat), Myron Becker (Mary Jo), Raymond Becker (Mary Jo), Bob Becker and Tom Becker (Jean Ann), her children Bob Stovall, of Carthage, MO, Jim Stovall (Shonna) of Commerce, OK, Lisa Ward (David) of Olive Branch, MS and William Stovall of Oklahoma City, 22 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. A rosary will begin at 6:30 pm at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Monday, March 15, followed by visitation until 8:30 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the same location Tuesday, March 16 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Knights of Columbus Council 3167 – Center of Family Love or Altar Society at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2515 N. Main, Miami, OK 74354.

Frieda M. Stovall

May 15, 1936 - March 12, 2021