Earlene Adkisson

Betty 'Earlene' Horn Adkissson "I've been blessed…" Betty 'Earlene' Horn Adkisson passed away on October 4, 2018, at home while in the company of her family following a long, difficult battle with cancer. Born on May 17, 1933 in Canute, Oklahoma on land homesteaded in the late 1800s's by her grandfather, John Horn, and his wife, Bettye Kouba Horn, Earlene was the loving daughter of Louis Horn and Eryetha Heintz Horn Mayberry. In many ways Earlene showed her personal pride in her fashionable appearance, hard work and dedication in her professional life. Her infectious smile was often a representative of how much heart she had for what she was doing. Earlene is survived by her husband of 45 years, Gerald Mack Adkisson; her three children, Candice Hale Lownsbery, and husband Steve, of San Jose, CA, Brian Jamison and Nicole Adkisson Vandewalker and husband Bud of Oklahoma City; three grandchildren, Micah Brianna Lownsbery, Daniela Joy Lownsbery, and Carter Milo Jamison. She was also stepmother to Becky Adkisson Wise, David Adkisson and Joel Adkisson and their respective families, as well as beloved sister of Sandra Jean Horn Cisper, Loretta Doris Horn Racher and their respective families of Oklahoma City. Following in her German-Russian and German Bohemian immigrant family traditions, Earlene and her sisters grew up tending their family's cotton farm. In 1943, she suffered from Polio and was hospitalized for one year. She recovered and did well in her school studies remaining on the high school honor roll. During her high school years, she was well-known in the State for her high school basketball team participation and helped Canute High School win awards and recognition. She graduated high school in 1951 with honors. After high school, she was employed at Bell Telephone Company and Kaiser's Ice Cream for a short time and then was discovered by managerial staff of Patterson's Dental Company. She was working at Kaiser's when staff and managers would go next door for lunch at Kaiser's and convinced her to interview for a receptionist job with their company as they came to learn of her excellent secretarial skills learned in school. "Patterson's my second family …" and "I love my job.." were her statements in an Employee Spotlight newsletter article. From 1955 to 2009, she was promoted from Receptionist, Bookkeeper to Operations Manager. Also during this time, Gerald and she were volunteer administrators for AAU Youth Basketball which somewhat fulfilled her love of basketball. This opportunity also allowed them to travel to 25 U.S. states including Puerto Rico and Hawaii. She enjoyed watching youth basketball which was sparked from her own high school experience and Brian and Nicole's participation in sports. In her retirement years, she enjoyed watching her grandchildren play soccer, basketball, and traveling to California, Colorado and New Mexico on long family road trips. Earlene seemed to be happiest when she was traveling and sharing stories about new places she was traveling to and through. A special thanks is extended to Integris Hospice for the deliberate focus of care and supporting the family during this difficult time A Memorial Service to honor her life will be held 1 pm Friday, October 12, 2018, at Smith & Kernke N. May Chapel, 14624 N. May Avenue, Oklahoma City. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.