Edgar Ray Stevens, Sr.

Edgar Ray Stevens, Sr. of Soper, Okla., passed away on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, at the age of 89. After several months of declining health, Edgar peacefully went to his heavenly home to be with his beloved wife, mother, sons, and grandsons.

Edgar was born in Pickens, Okla. on July 20, 1932, to his mother, Esther Holmes Stevens. Edgar was an only child who received lots of love from his mother, aunts, uncles, and special friends Daryl and Klara Kiser. Edgar and his mother attended and were members of Mt. Zion Methodist Church, where he also graduated from the Mt. Zion Indian School in 8th grade. Edgar’s first language was Choctaw.

He helped on the Kiser’s small farm/ranch and worked odd jobs trying to make it in the rodeo circuit starting at an early age. He loved bronc riding. He never left home without his cowboy hat, horse, and shepherd dog, whom he called Goody and Jesus in his heart. He kept up with all the top cowboys in the 1950’s that were in the rodeo circuit. His need to find additional work took him and his mother away from the mountains of Pickens to the cotton fields of Hollis, Okla., where he would end up meeting his future wife, Etta Mae Phillips. Then his journey began.

Edgar and Etta married in 1956 and made their home in Boswell, Okla. They had 11 children: Harry, Peggy, Vicky, Ricky, Edgar Jr, Rita, Betty, Anita, Mark, Rebecca, and Wanda. Edgar and Etta enjoyed taking their children to Choctaw gospel singings across Oklahoma, where he loved singing and playing musical instruments, including the guitar, piano, and harmonica. He also loved taking his children to visit his mother in Pickens during the summertime. Edgar cherished his children and wanted each of them to not only know about Jesus, but also to love him as he did.

Edgar loved his grandchildren and helped raise many of them. Edgar was kind-hearted and could never get on to his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, or great-great-grandchildren. Edgar made sure all his grandchildren knew his favorite bible verse – John 3:16. Edgar was full of love, kindness, and giving to others.

Edgar was preceded in death by his wife, Etta Mae Stevens; mother, Esther Holmes Stevens; sons, Teddy Ray Hicks, and Harry Phillips Stevens; grandsons, Michael Ray Stevens and Brian Wesley Stevens Acuna.

He is survived by his children: Peggy Sanders, Vicky and Jackie Allen, Ricky and Shelly Stevens, Edgar Jr. and Glenda Stevens, Rita Vinyard, Betty and Johnny Logue, Anita and Lee Free, Mark and Becky Stevens, Rebecca Stevens Acuna, Wanda and Dwight Vanderveen, and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

A service in his honor is set for 2 p.m., Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, at the New Life Family Church in Boswell, Okla.

Arrangements under the direction of Miller and Miller Funeral Home.