Sally Ann "Kirk" Wessel's Obituary
My Life as written by Sally Ann Beene Kirk WesselI have always been proud to say I’m a small town gal from Stilwell, Oklahoma. I thanked my Mother and Dad many times in their later years for moving us to Stilwell in 1941. Had they not done so, I would not have had so many wonderful opportunities to fully express myself in my church, my school and my community.I attended Oklahoma State University (A&M) and Northeastern State. I married Raymond Kirk of Sapulpa, Oklahoma and we went back to Oklahoma State for his degree. We had three children: Gail Anne, Todd and Paul. I have four grandchildren: Sally and Steven Powell, Alexandra and Daniel Kirk and four great grandchildren: Tia and Jaedon Powell and McKayla and Declan Johnson.I loved doing all the “kid stuff” with my kids, riding bicycles, playing tennis, swimming, visiting museums, picnics, planning slumber parties, baseball games, playing Monopoly after school and sliding the board under the sofa and saving the game for the next day, sending them off to church camp, and camping in the Colorado mountains. I loved it all!Lots of things happened that I never dared to dream would be happening in my lifetime – dancing on the stage at the Performing Arts Center in Tulsa (not Broadway, but close enough for me!), doing a play “Follies” at Tulsa Little Theater, modeling clothes for Woolf Brothers, writing and directing school stage productions (I should have been a teacher because I loved it!), teaching deaf girls to dance, playing drums in a Dixieland jazz band, being a counselor for church camp, directing the church Christmas pageant and so much other fun stuff!Then there has been travel. Never in a million years would I have imagined running on a beach in Jamaica, snorkeling in the Caribbean, watching sunsets in Mexico, lying on the beach at Waikiki or seeing the rain forests in Puerto Rico. I am so very grateful for every wonderful experience.Ray, my husband of 37 years, passed away in 1989, my son Todd died in 1991, my sister Leah Kay in 1996, my mother in 1997 and my brother Don Allen in 2013. My life has been full and many of life’s lessons have been learned – not all but many – as the good and the bad have come my way.After Ray became ill, I went to work for Avis as a National Corporate Accounts representative. I did a lot of praying before I found this job. I was the oldest one in the department even older than my boss! I was with Avis for about ten years. I enjoyed having a “career” and making some wonderful friends. I retired in 1994.In May of 1991, at a Big Band dance, I met James (Jim) Wessel (such a great guy) and in April 1993, we were joyously married. We honeymooned in Europe, got to see Paris in the springtime, threw three coins into Trevi Fountain, prayed in St Peters Basilica, drove the Swiss Alps and visited the French Riviera. We traveled in our fifth wheel trailer seeing America coast to coast. I am so happy that we found each other.My life has been full. I am happy and thankful for all of God’s blessings in my life.God is so good to have given me all these golden years and memories.Sally Ann Beene Kirk WesselEarly Times:* Born to Myrl (Doc) Beene and Isabel (Sally) McKay Beene* On September, 3, 1932 in Fort Worth, Texas* Lived her life in Oklahoma in the following towns: El Reno, Shawnee, Tulsa, Stilwell, Stillwater, Tahlequah, Anadarko and Sapulpa.Depression Years in Tulsa* Belonged to Brownies (Baby Girl Scouts)* Wanted to be a Violinist or Ice Skater or Dancer or …..* An Actress! In 2nd grade she missed her cue (off Stage). The Teacher took her line of a crying baby. She was broken hearted.* In 2nd grade percussion class she wanted to play the drum, the teacher gave the drum to “some boy”, again, she was broken hearted.1941 – A new home in StilwellLessons:* Singing – ¾ of a year* Elocution (Acting) – 1 year* Tap Dancing – 8 years with Dance recitals* Piano – 1 yearSchool Days:* Played Drums (snare, bass and cymbals) in High School* Marching Band* Lead Majorette (Choreographed routines)* Girl’s Quartet* Mix Chorus – Solo* 4-H Club – Won 3 or 4 trips to the 4-H Round Up at Oklahoma State University (A&M) where she and her sister Leah Kay put on cooking demonstrations* Dance Solos in High School Musical – had lines also* Awarded a medal for Outstanding English Student – 8th Grade* Girls’ Basketball team – 8th Grade* Honor Roll in all 4 years of Jr. High School* Served as a Reporter for the High School News Paper* Belonged to the Christian Girl’s Auxiliary at the Baptist Church* Attended the First Baptist Church in Stilwell every Sunday and sang in a girl’s octet.* Taught Tap Dance Classes during her Senior Year in High School* Together with her sister, Leah Kay, she tapped and sang at various programs and events in Stilwell throughout her school years* Work started in earnest at age 12 in Doc Beene’s Restaurant. She shared the week’s schedule with her sister Leah Kay that included responsibility for all the housekeeping in the family home for the rest of her school days.* She and her friends took lots of nature hikes up on Davis Mountain and into the Davis Cave known to be the hideout of the notorious “Pretty Boy Floyd”* The Beene Sisters gave the best parties in town: the yard was big with a large in ground pool. Catering from Doc Beene’s Restaurant included Doc in full chef attire, tall hat and all. The dance floor was flanked by party lights while magnolia blooms floated in the pool. There was good clean fun… lots of laughter… no alcohol. Good times.* The Sisters did a tap performance on the Band Stand at the Annual Strawberry Festival* She attended Church Camp at Eagen Church Camp for 4 years* Vacationed with Family to the East Coast and New York City where she saw the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, beginning a long held dream to be part of the Rockettes. The following year the family went to West Coast and Los Angeles.* Represented the Kiawah Men’s Club at the “Miss Motorboat Regatta”* Was Miss Stilwell Oklahoma in 1949College Years:* At Oklahoma A&M, now OSU, the sisters were on the “Student Entertainment Team” where they were paid for dancing at events throughout the state, to encourage high school students to enroll at OSU.* She entertained at Stout Hall (Dorm) on “fun nights”* She considered herself an average student as she spent so much time having fun and dreaming of performing at Radio City Music Hall!Adult Life:* In 1952 Ray Kirk returned from his time in the Korean War. They were married in the fall of 1952 – started a family Gail Anne (6-18-1953)* Ray and Sally then moved to Tahlequah to attend Northeastern State University with Gail Anne in tow.* Became a member of Sigma, Sigma, Sigma Sorority and helped with the choreography for College Review Night.* Completed 3 years of college and transferred with Ray to Oklahoma State in Stillwater so that he could finish his degree in Mechanical Engineering while she worked as a secretary in the Agricultural Publications Department.* Todd Steven was born in Stillwater (10-28-1957) just two months before leaving Stillwater so that Ray could take a position as an engineer in Tulsa Oklahoma.* She worked for 2-3 years as a secretary/receptionist for Aero Service Mapping.* In 1960, the family moved into their first home in Tulsa at Western Village where they lived for 17 years.* Her second son, Paul Raymond was born (4-30-1962)* Sally and Ray were Church Camp Counselors for 2 years for the Episcopal Church* Active in St Marks Episcopal Church, she was President of St. Marks Women’s Group* Active in the PTA for Robert S. Kerr Elementary and Lewis and Clark Jr. High School* Wrote and directed the musical programs for the PTA featuring Kerr elementary students with her good friend, Pat Maxey* Founded the Sally Kirk School of Dance in 1966 in Stilwell Oklahoma. Sally and Leah Kay were a team once again. Sally was responsible for all the teaching, choreography and costumes while Leah Kay took care of set design and creation. Sally drove to Stilwell each week for 2 years.* Joined Tulsa Cerebral Palsy Association and remained an active member for 20 years* Participating annually in the musical variety show, The Red Glove Review, was one of the great joys in her life. She sang and danced in many numbers on stage at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. Sally had numerus dance solos and other featured numbers. She danced and sang to “All that Jazz”- Sang “Yankee Doddle Dandy” – Soft shoe to “Good Ole Summer Time” and “Singing in the Rain” and many more. She was a “Show Girl” with feathers, staircase and all!! She also did a comedy bit as Minnie Pearl and was in many extravagant kick-line and group tap numbers. She got to do it all and give her thanks to her husband, Ray for allowing her the “Broadway Experience” by being mom and dad during the rehearsals and performances.* Worked in the Cerebral Palsy Nursery* Was the Red Glove Advertising Chairman with her friend, Pat Maxey* Chairman of the Red Glove Director’s Party for one year* 1991 was her last year in The Red Glove Review, she was ask to be a showgirl at 58 years old. She was dazzling!!* In 1978, she performed in the Tulsa Little Theater musical “Follies”. She played one of the showgirls and had a few lines – 14 performances. While part of the Tulsa Little Theater Troupe, she was offered the main role of Mame in “Hello Dolly”. She decided not to accept the role due to family and other commitments.* Sally was a makeup consultant for the exclusive line of Accent Nine makeup* She went to beauty school and did hair and makeup for friends and family for years* Modeled for Wolf Brothers and Clarks department Stores* Modeled for Panalentic functions (Sorority Alums)* Served as President for the Tulsa Tri-Sigma Alum for a year* Played drums for the “Blue Shoe Review”, a variety show to raise money for the handicapped* Taught dance to young deaf people for the Blue Shoe Review* Played full drums for a Dixieland Jazz Band on TV and on other occasions around Tulsa* Member of a bowling team, she claimed to be “no good at it” but it was great fun* Directed the Christmas Pageant when a member of St. Luke Episcopal Church. She rapped her version of “The Night Before Christmas” (beat nick style). She said the priest was not amused but the kids loved it.* Sally was a stay-at- home mom through much of her pursuits and in the opinion of her children she was a fun, loving and exceptional mother. She loved being a mother – teaching her children and grandchildren to swim, ride bikes, play monopoly, read stories, run races, play tennis. Adventure was her forte – going to Bell’s Amusement Park, field trips to the airport as well as other attractions such as Gilcrease and Philbrook, picnics at Mohawk Park, swimming at McClure Park, winter picnics on the Living room floor, crafts at the kitchen table, decorating Christmas cookies with great flare, building snowmen, making Halloween costumes from the “costume box”- carving pumpkins. Lots of birthday parties – backyard slumber parties in the camper – the whole family piling into the car – kids dressed in PJs – for movies at the Admiral Twin Drive-in, played kick ball in the street and refereed foot races (all the neighborhood kids loved her). Going for hamburgers at Connor’s Corner and summer vacations to Six Flags over Texas. There was camping, fishing, horseback riding in the Colorado Rockies. Dressing up for Easter Sunday, coloring eggs. Tap dancing with her daughter in the kitchen. Her home was always clean with freshly ironed sheets and hot full course meals served each night at 5:30.She was an outstanding mother and above all else it was her starring role.Visitation ~ Sunday, September 9, 2018 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Floral Haven Funeral Home.Graveside Service ~ Monday, September 10, 2018 at 10:00 AM at Sunrise Cemetery near Kellyville, Oklahoma.
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