Mrs. Frankie E. Story-Cornelison passed from this life to her heavenly home on Saturday, November 11, 2023.
Frankie was raised in Atoka, Okla. She graduated from Atoka High School in 1953. Frankie trained as a beautician and was employed at O-Dell’s Beauty Shop in Durant for several years, while attending Southeastern State University, where she earned a master’s degree in elementary education.
She taught at Northwest Heights Elementary School in Durant for 25 years, retiring in 2013 from the work she loved. Her coworkers and students were always considered family to her.
Frankie was known in Durant for her beautiful singing voice. She enjoyed singing at funerals, weddings, church gatherings, and anywhere she was asked to participate. She sang around the house frequently, serenading all her children, family and those around to listen and enjoy. Frankie also delighted in hosting Thanksgiving dinner for the family. It was her favorite holiday.
Her first marriage to Bob C. Story resulted in four children that were her pride and joy. They all survive her. Bobby and wife, Melissa; Keith and wife, Stacey; Thomas Bennett Story; and Lisa Story-Thomas – all of Durant.
Frankie was blessed with eight grandchildren: Robert R. Story and wife Kamwin of Durant; Lhauren Spann and husband, Matt of Melissa, Texas; Jackson Stuteville and wife, Audra of Washington, D.C. Bradley Story and wife Kayla of Durant; Eric Story and wife, Avi of Sherman, Texas; Julie Lillibridge and husband, Dillon of Sherman, Texas; Jake Cobb of Durant; Zachary Thomas of Anna, Texas, Courtney Reirdon of Durant and Tyler Reirdon of Durant. Her blessings multiplied with 15 great-grandchildren: Camden, Blayke, Graceson, Gavin, Tessa, Titus, Alexis, Colton, Addison, Ethan, Edward, Ainsley, Gunner, Hendrix and Addalee.
Frankie was the wife of the well-known and much-loved Kenneth Cornelison of Madill. They made their home in Durant, Okla.
Frankie was a member of the First Baptist Church of Durant, FBC Choir, Fortnightly, Rebecca’s Circle, Durant Educational Association, Delta Kappa Gamma and a den mother for cub scouts when her boys were young. Her family was her greatest joy and achievement.
She and Thomas (Tommy), continued to attend First Baptist Church, which they enjoyed greatly. There they kept in touch with many of their dear friends, some of which are Jeanine and Dolphus Haddock and Sue Bryant.
Frankie was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Cornelison; mother, Alma Miller; her father, Frank Ham and grandparents Dr. and Mrs. Roy G Ham all of Atoka; as well as her brother, Fred E. Ham of Seabrook, Texas, and her brother-in-law, Rev. Grady Eugene Lee of Calera, Okla. and Denver, Colo.
She is survived by her sister Royce Lee, and their children Sheila and husband, Kip Thornton; Janet Lee all of Englewood, Colo.; Jeff and wife, Deidra of Larkspur, Colo.; and Greg and wife, Tonya of Grand Junction, Colo., and sisters Marie Marmon and Linda Adamson; her sister-in-law Julie Ham of Seabrook, Texas; Frankie’s step-son – John Cornelison and wife Cindy of North Carolina.
Frankie will be greatly missed by her entire family and her hometown of Durant, Okla. Her memory will carry on in their hearts for a lifetime.
Thank you to the staff at Featherstone of Durant, Okla., for their care and compassion these past few months.
A funeral service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Durant, Okla, lead by Pastor Garry McNeill at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 18, 2023. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery Durant, Okla.
Services are under the direction of Brown’s Funeral Service of Durant, Okla.
