Elizabeth Ann Enochs' Obituary
Surrounded by family, Elizabeth Ann Enochs departed this life on May 17, 2024. She was 74 years old. A lady always knows when to leave. And Liz was an outstanding lady.
Liz was a master gardener and Tulsa Rose Society member. She meticulously tended to over 200 rose bushes and won multiple awards from the American Rose Society for imaginative arrangements of her perfect blooms. Liz had a great eye for discarded treasures at estate sales, flea markets, and thrift stores. Through her passion for research, she was impressively knowledgeable about a broad range of collectible trends. She took great pleasure in holidays and traditions and routinely adorned her home for seasonal celebrations with her collection of vintage findings. Liz was a semi-homemade cooking maven and elevated the classic Libby’s pumpkin pie recipe to an art form. While well-versed in classic literature and theatre, Liz also stayed current on new movies and television programs and was a reliable critic with sound recommendations. She had a great laugh and never missed an episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. And Liz adored companion animals. She showered her various adopted dogs over the years with snacks and affection and loved receiving updates on the antics of her grandpets.
Liz was born on June 27, 1949, in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Margaret and Roscoe Vrooman, Sr. The youngest of four siblings and the only daughter, she was instilled with fierce resilience, determination, and independence at an early age by her mother who was suddenly widowed when Liz was a month old. A lifelong Tulsan, Liz graduated from Edison High School in 1967. She continued her studies at Oklahoma State University where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Education (’71) and then Northeastern State University where she completed her Master of Education (‘77). On February 21, 1975, Liz married George John Patrick (Pat) Enochs, with whom she had and raised her life’s greatest joys, her son Brandon, and daughter, Isis Melissa.
Also in 1975, Liz began a 33-year affiliation with Booker T. Washington High School. Initially hired to teach English and Speech, she coached the competitive speech team to BTW’s first State Championship as a magnet school. In 1986, she pivoted from teaching to become a full-time counselor. In 2001, Liz left BTW for a collegiate counseling role in the College of Engineering & Computer Science at the University of Tulsa. However, she missed working with younger students and returned to Tulsa Public Schools in 2006, first as a counselor at Wilson Middle School and then flew back to the BTW hive in 2007. Liz retired in 2014. While she enjoyed all the roles she held in her career, her time as a counselor at BTW was the highlight. She identified as a proud member of the Hornet community and delighted in staying informed about the life accomplishments of her students whom she taught, mentored, and counseled throughout the years. A true North Star, Liz was a source of direction, guidance, and stability for many and served as a model for embracing lifelong learning and personal growth.
Liz is survived by her life partner and best friend, Pat Enochs, daughter, Isis Melissa Phoenix, son and daughter-in-law, Brandon Enochs and Stephanie Denney, brother and sister-in-law, Jon and Gayle Vrooman, and her beloved terriers, Maizie and Sadie Rose. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Roscoe (Ross) Vrooman, Jr. and Roger Vrooman. A celebration of life for Liz will be held later this year with details forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) of Tulsa.
Liz's family will be hosting a Celebration of Life Memorial Service to honor her. Service details will be posted here once made available.
Arrangments entrust to Floral Haven Funeral Home.
What’s your fondest memory of Elizabeth?
What’s a lesson you learned from Elizabeth?
Share a story where Elizabeth's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Elizabeth you’ll never forget.
How did Elizabeth make you smile?