Verna Faye Rodosta

Verna Faye “Bum” Rodosta née Shook, former resident of Beaver, Oklahoma died Thursday, October 10, 2024 in Oklahoma City. She was 92 years old.

Verna was born on June 3, 1932 to Vernon and Alice Shook in a two-room dugout near Elmwood, Oklahoma. The family later moved to Beaver so that the children could attend school more easily. Verna attended Beaver Schools for 12 years, graduating in 1950.

Upon graduation, Verna worked as a telephone operator for a year before joining the Air Force and seeing the world. She served in the Women’s Air Force Band as a drummer for her 2 ½ year military career. Verna married the love of her life, USAF Master Sgt. Gerald “Dusty” Rodosta on September 5, 1953. They had two children, Phillip and Rhonda, and were married until Dusty’s death in 1971.

As a military family, the Rodosta’s moved often. They went from San Antonio, Texas, to Madrid, Spain, to Bitburg, Germany, and back to Amarillo and Lubbuck, Texas before Dusty was assigned to Eielson AFB in Fairbanks, Alaska in 1970. Throughout the years and moves, while the children were growing up, Verna was attending college so she could become a teacher. As a full-time mom, Verna managed just a few courses at a time. Finally, in 1970, with hours from five different colleges, Verna graduated from Texas Tech with a B.S. in education. She got her master’s degree in special education from Central State in 1976. 

After just six months in Alaska, Dusty suffered a fatal heart attack. With her teaching degree in hand and two teenagers, Verna moved back to her hometown of Beaver, Oklahoma. There, she began a teaching career lasting more than 20 years. Verna retired from Beaver Schools in 1994 and moved to Oklahoma City in 2007. For many years, throughout her time as a teacher and long into retirement, Verna Faye continued to travel and see the world.

Verna is survived by two sisters, Jean Phillips and Dolly Barr, and a sister-in-law, Lemoyne Shook. Verna Faye is also survived by her two children and their spouses, Phillip and Bonnie Rodosta and Rhonda and Michael Butcher. She has five grandchildren, their spouses, and their children: Joseph “J.C.” and Shabnam Rodosta with Isabella, Julia, Claire, Emma, Jonah, and Elijah; Dustin Rodosta with Shane and Alyssa, Brian, and Selena; Scott and Brooke Butcher with Juliette and Elise; Jenny and Daniel Skender with Madeline and Fletcher; and Laura and Eric Wheeler with Karter, Spencer, and Quinn.

A funeral service will be held on October 18th, at 10:00 am at Smith and Kernke Funeral Home at 14624 N. May in Oklahoma City. Verna Faye will be buried beside Dusty at Fort Sill National Cemetery in Elgin, Oklahoma.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Oklahoma Baptists Disaster Relief, 3800 N. May Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73112.