Mildred Faye Renfroe

Funeral services for Mildred Faye Renfroe will be held Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 1:00 PM at the Parks Brothers Funeral Home Chapel in Okemah. Interment will follow at the Highland Cemetery in Okemah. Mildred Faye Sorden was born on January 24, 1918 in Coffeyville, Kansas to William and Ella Sorden. She died peacefully in the early morning hours of May 11, 2010 at the age of 92. Mildred was the youngest of 7 children. She loved working with her hands and made many beautiful quilts. She also knitted and crocheted, and filled her family’s homes with her homemade treasures. On October 4, 1933 at the age of 15, Mildred married Paul Renfroe near Mason. Living in Okfuskee County until 1943 they moved to Creek County. They had five children: Kenneth Paul, Billy Ray, Helen Faye, Norman Eugene and Evelyn. All her children survive her today. Mildred has 16 grandchildren, 27 Great-Grandchildren, and 23 Great-Great Grandchildren. In addition, she had numerous adopted and step grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. She was revered and loved dearly by her family, and made the best chocolate gravy in the world! On June 9, 1975 Mildred and Paul divorced. Mildred married Curley Wells on April 5, 1979. They divorced in 1986 and Mildred never remarried. All who knew Mildred knew a woman of great strength. She worked hard all of her life and retired from the Wrangler Factory in Okemah in 1979. In the late 1940’s, she gave her heart to Jesus at the Highway Mission church near Welty. She attended the Oak Grove Community church then moved close to Haydonville, where she attended the Haydonville Assembly of God under pastors Green, Graham, McLahan, Goins and Harris. Mildred moved to Enid in 1986 and then to Eufaula in 1996 to be near her family. She remained independent until a broken hip forced her into nursing care. Her children and grandchildren remained devoted to her, and spent as much time with her as they could. Mildred loved music, which was central to her family. Many days and nights were spent singing together. She loved music, dancing, traveling and family. The Sorden family moved around often with the crops, and Mildred lived with her sisters and brothers while attending school. She graduated from Welty in the 8th grade. Her teacher tutored her through the tenth grade. She is preceded in death by two brothers and four sisters, and one granddaughter, Velma Kantola. Services will be under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Home, Okemah and officiated by Rev. Lance Nelson.

Mildred Faye Renfroe

January 24, 1918 - May 11, 2010