NORMAN — Jimmie J. Ewing, age 77, passed away Oct. 18, 2012 in Oklahoma City. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, Oct. 22, at the First Baptist Church of Altus with Erin Martinez, Chaplain, Jackson County Memorial Hospital Hospice, officiating. Burial will be in the Altus City Cemetery under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home. Visitation will be Sunday, Oct. 21, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
Jimmie was born at home in the small community of Humphreys, Okla. on Oct. 19, 1934 to Willis Landrum Derryberry and Willene Faye (Woodall) Derryberry. She graduated from Humphreys High School in 1952, enrolling immediately in nursing training at the Oklahoma Baptist School of Nursing in Muskogee, Okla.. After receiving her nursing diploma, Jimmie married J. R. Ewing of Altus, Okla. on May 17, 1955. She began her professional career as a hospital nurse, but soon began work in the field of public health for the Oklahoma State Department Health at the Jackson County Health Department. During her lengthy and rewarding public health career, she served as a public health nurse, district nursing supervisor and finally as an administrative director for several county health departments in southwest Oklahoma.
Upon retirement, she became busier than ever while leading and participating in numerous community activities. She was a founding member and active volunteer of the Jackson County Free Clinic, served on the Jackson County Emergency Medical Services Board and was an active volunteer and board member of the Jackson County Memorial Hospital Hospice. She was very active in the Southwest Oklahoma Republican Women, Oklahoma Federation of Republican Women, National Federation of Republican Women and the Jackson County and State Republican parties. She was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Altus and very involved in her Sunday school activities. She held numerous leadership positions and received many awards from several professional and volunteer organizations. Her natural ability to be a friend and to provide public service blessed her family and community greatly. She was intense, affable, humorous and serious, always at appropriate times. Our loss is God's gain.
She is preceded in death by her late husband, J.R. and her parents. Survivors include one son, Brenden Kim Ewing of Wewoka, Okla., one daughter, Toni Donice Ewing Frioux (Chuck) of Norman, Okla., two grandsons, Joshua Frioux, Norman, Okla. and Christopher Frioux (Carrie) of Mustang, Okla., two brothers, Larry Derryberry (Gale) of Oklahoma City, Okla. and Gary Derryberry (Sharon) of Choctaw, Okla.. Also surviving are three nephews, Darren Derryberry (Cindy), Oklahoma City, Brandon Derryberry (Billy), Choctaw, Okla., and Dr. Broc Derryberry (Anglea), Choctaw, Okla. and one niece, Dara Derryberry Olsen (Randy) of Oklahoma City, Okla.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Jackson County Memorial Hospital Hospice, 1204 E. Tamarack Road, Altus, Okla. 73521, Jackson County Free Health Clinic, 401 W. Tamarack Road Altus, Oklahoma 73521 or a charity of choice. Online tributes may be made at www.lowell-tims.com
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