Dorothy Gaylene Proctor, 71, passed away peacefully as she was surrounded by her family in her home on Dec. 19, 2020. She was born on July 18, 1949 in Durant, Okla., to the late O.C. Waggoner and Bobbie Ruth Jeffreys.
She grew up playing ball, climbing trees, and enjoying running around outside. While attending Caddo school she met Billy Proctor. They were married on April 23, 1966. The newlyweds moved to Irving, Texas, and started their family. They were blessed with two children, Edwina Gaylene and Billy Jeffrey. Shortly after, they moved back home to Durant to plant their roots.
Gaylene was one of the graduates of the first graduating classes from the Kiamichi Vo Tech Nursing Program. After graduation, she got a job as an LPN at Medical Center of Southeastern Oklahoma, in Durant. She worked there for more than 30 years. She worked longest in the labor and delivery department, where she helped many women deliver their babies into the world. She was one of the favorite nurses in the hospital, loved both by her patients and colleagues as well.
She loved her family with all of her heart. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her so much joy with every visit. She even helped bring them into the world. Gaylene loved to knit, sew, and quilt. She spent countless hours making baby blankets for family and friends. She loved Sunday dinners, her garden, fishing and camping with Bill and their many friends, and you can guarantee she loved her little dog, Snow, who followed her everywhere. Oh, how she did love Snow! Beavers Bend in Broken Bow, Oklahoma was quite possibly her favorite place to go with her family.
She and Bill also loved to play music together. Bill says she was the best bass player he had ever met. They played in their own country band, “The Rowdy Country Band.” They spent many afternoons practicing and many nights playing. They played many benefit concerts for friends and families in need. We can’t help but think she is playing us a song from Heaven right now. To know Gaylene was to love her.
“Gaylene was the heart of our family, the glue that held us together, and there will always be a hole in our hearts without her here on this earth; however, we rest assured, knowing she has finally gone to her eternal home in heaven.” ~ Cindy Proctor
Gaylene is survived by her husband, Billy Proctor; daughter, Wina Richardson and husband Bill Richardson; son, Jeff Proctor and wife, Cindy Proctor; grandchildren: Ashly and husband Travis Hilburn, Bobbie and Alex Langston, Johnny and Ashley King and Kristen Bailey and husband Corey, Jaren Proctor, Jenna Proctor; great-grandchildren: Zane Hilburn, Faith Hilburn, Grace Hilburn, Ayden Langston, Mason Bailey, Emery Bailey, Haven Jones and Preston Dillard; sister, Gwen Williams and countless nieces and nephews.
A graveside service for Gaylene Proctor will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020 at the Gethsemane Cemetery in Caddo, Okla. with Jeremy Parham officiating.
Arrangements are entrusted to Cunningham Funeral Home in Colbert, Okla.