Afton Lorraine Travis' Obituary
Afton Travis died in Tulsa, OK on April 25th, 2017 at the age of 94 years. She was born on October 25, 1922 in Broken Arrow, OK, the only child of Wiley Leroy and Lena Afton (Woodward) Updike.Afton’s early education was in Skiatook, OK where she began piano study at age eight. She played for her first cantata in fifth grade and, subsequently, became the principle accompanist for school choral groups. As a High school student she became pianist for the morning worship service at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Skiatook. Afton graduated with honors as the Valedictorian of her class in 1941 and enrolled in Phillips University in Enid, OK where she began organ study. In addition, she studied with private instructors in Tulsa and Marion, Virginia. In her Junior college year, she was listed in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. She graduated with a B.S. Degree in Religious Education with a minor in English.While at the University she met Dan Edwin Travis, a graduate student, who was completing studies toward the Bachelor of Divinity degree at Phillips Theological Seminary. He held degrees from Tulsa University and a degree in Business Administration from the Air Command and Staff College in Montgomery, AL. He, therefore, became an Major in the Air Force and a military Chaplain. Dan was the son of Roy Dale and Cecile Travis of Corydon, Iowa and in 1949, he and Afton were married in Enid, OK. Daughter, Sharon was born in 1950 and son, Dennis in 1953.Afton became an organist in the Air Force chapels in Texas and Alaska as well as in churches in both Virginia and Oklahoma over a forty-year period. Afton was an active member of the American Guild of Organists. She joined Faith United Methodist Church, serving for 27 years as the church organist. She actively participated in the United Methodist Women’s group, Disciple Bible Study and Stephen Ministries. Afton supported numerous organizations that focused on benevolent and justice issues with Christian values. Her loving generosity extended as well to her family whom she adored. Leaving a lasting and substantial legacy was very important to both Afton and Dan. They established the Dan E. and Afton L. Travis Scholarship at Phillips Theological Seminary, so that qualified students might benefit financially throughout the years. In addition to education, providing benevolent care was one of Afton’s passions and she made special provision for that at Inverness Village during her lifetime.Trips abroad, after Dan’s Air Force retirement, were among Dan and Afton’s most joyful memories. Afton especially appreciated trips to England, Germany and France. She continued corresponding with special English friends following their trips. Dan died in Tulsa in 2001 before he could enjoy all the benefits and joys of living with Afton at Inverness Village in Tulsa, OK. Upon arriving at Inverness in 2005, Afton was glad to be able to share her musical talent by accompanying the Men’s and Women’s Chorus, occasionally directing the choruses musically and assisting with Vesper Services.Afton is survived by devoted daughter, Sharon Travis Jasnowski and husband, William Jasnowski of Council Bluffs, Iowa ; Grandson Reece Hale and his wife Katie Long Hale of Kansas City, Kansas. Also surviving is son Dennis Travis and his wife Kathy Zetty Travis of Tucson, Arizona; grandson Michael Travis and his wife Kassandra Ledford Travis, great-grandson Kaleb Ledford and great-granddaughter Lillian; also surviving is granddaughter Emily Travis Mannon and great-granddaughters Lydia Travis and Rebekah Mannon, all of Kimball, Nebraska. Each had a very special place in Afton’s heart. She will also be dearly missed by very long-time friends and extended family.The family will receive visitors on Friday, May 5th, 2017 from 1-2pm at Floral Haven Funeral Home, 6900 South 129th East Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma, followed by a family gravesite service at Floral Haven Cemetery. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, May 6th, 2017 from 1-2pm, at Faith United Methodist Church, 7431 E 91st St, Tulsa, OK. There will be a reception following, from 2-3pm. A separate memorial service will be held at Inverness Village on Tuesday, May 9th at 1:30pm, 3800 W 71st St, Tulsa, OK 74132. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any remembrances in Afton’s memory be sent to either the Dan E. and Afton L. Travis Scholarship fund at Phillips Theological Seminary, 901 N Mingo Rd, Tulsa, OK 74116, the Benevolent Fund at Inverness Village, 3800 W 71st St, Tulsa, OK 74132, or the Music Fund at Faith United Methodist Church, 7431 E 91st St, Tulsa, OK 74133.
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