1946 - 2024
Linda Kay Watson Steele, long time resident of Ponca City, OK, went to her heavenly home on November 5, 2024 at her residence in Ponca City. She died from Myelodysplastic Cancer.
Linda was born on August 20, 1946, in Mena, Arkansas, the daughter of Eldon B. and Helen Odell Shirley Watson. She moved with her parents to Ponca City, OK, at the age of 2. Schools attended were Jefferson, Washington, Liberty, East Jr. High, and Ponca City Senior High School, graduating in 1964. At Northern Oklahoma College, she received an extensive business course certificate. Linda went to work for Conoco in the summer of 1965.
On April 29, 1967 Linda married her high school sweetheart, Donald William Steele, at Second Baptist Church in Ponca City. They made their first home in Clovis, New Mexico, Cannon Air Force Base, and a few months later transferred to Las Vegas, Nevada, Nellis Air Force Base, where Don was serving a tour of duty with the United States Air Force. A daughter, DeAwn, was born there in 1969.
The couple returned to Ponca City in May, 1970, after Don’s discharge from the Air Force. She again worked at Conoco before becoming a stay-at-home mom when their son, Darren, was born in 1974.
In 1983, Linda went to work for the Ponca City Public School System at Woodlands Elementary. She worked as a teacher’s assistant and then as secretary until her retirement in 1998. She was proud to have received an Employee Recognition Award while working at Woodlands.
Linda accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior at the age of 9. She was a long time member of the First Baptist Church in Ponca City. Through the years she taught various Sunday school classes, helped in Vacation Bible School, and served on various committees.
Linda loved to crochet, and she crocheted hundreds of baby caps and cancer caps for charities for distribution to various hospitals. She liked to travel with her husband and to catch the biggest bass on their fishing trips. As opportunities arose, Linda enjoyed being with her children and grandchildren.
Linda will be missed by her husband, Don, of Ponca City; a daughter, DeAwn(Ernest) Proo, of Tulsa, OK; a son, Darren(Bess) Steele, of Bethany, OK; four grandchildren, Breawna Proo, Nathan Proo, Emily Steele and Avery Steele; a brother, Terry(Sherry) Watson, of Edmond, OK; a brother-in-law, Larry(June) Steele and a sister-in-law, Teresa Steele, all of Ponca City, OK. She is also survived by an uncle, James Harrell(Pat) Shirley, of Willis, TX; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, J.C. and Mabel Steele.
The family will honor Linda’s request for no services. Inurnment will be at Resthaven Memorial Park. Remembrances may be shared online at www.stittsworthfuneralservices.com,
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