Vinita Fair's Obituary
Vinita Mae Duke Fair was born February 2, 1932, in Cheyenne, Oklahoma to Winnie Fae (McClennahan) and Wester Winnette Duke. She passed away on March 22, 2023, at Clarehouse hospice in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Vinita was a people person and spent her life making and encouraging relationships. She modeled the love of God. She enjoyed family gatherings and eagerly attended the varied activities of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren – athletic events of all kinds, music, choir and dance recitals, etc.. She had a heart for the disadvantaged and showed her respect for the dignity of all persons no matter their life situation; she loved cheering for the underdog. She took the opportunity to visit with anyone she came into contact with if they were willing to chat. A life-long athlete, she played basketball, softball, volleyball and tennis. She was an independent thinker and never backed down from taking the opposite side of a conversation, even if just to spark debate.
Vinita grew up in Western Oklahoma with her parents and three sisters, farming in the Midway and Crawford Communities. After graduating from Crawford High School with a senior class of 7 students, she and her sister, Nadine, with encouragement and assistance from their high school principal attended OU in Norman. Both young ladies were honored among the 10 Outstanding Freshmen Women of 1950-51 by Mortar Board, the national honor society for college seniors. After graduation, she taught school, first in Crawford and then Coyle Oklahoma. After Kenneth's return from his stint in the Army during the Korean Conflict, they married in 1955 at the Magnolia Baptist Church in Crawford.
In 1960 Kenneth was offered the opportunity to take a position in Tripoli, Libya. When he asked Vinita what she thought about the job offer, in essence she replied, “Yes, let’s go! Where is that?”,. During their ten years in Africa, she learned to speak enough Arabic to get by. She taught English in an Arabic girls school and also tutored a young girl with learning disabilities, Jana. After moving back to the States, she reconnected with Jana who came to our home several times over the years. She went on to get her real estate license and later established her own business. Due to health issues she decided to leave real estate but it wasn't long until she began selling Avon. She knew most folks in the neighborhood and became close to them, encouraging and caring for them in her own special way. Some of her biggest customers were her family who were always grateful for that “family discount” and almost every gift from her for any occasion came in an Avon box.
She is survived by their four children, Cheryl Wilkinson and her husband Jim of Stillwater, Ken Fair and his girlfriend,Stephanie Bangard, of Broken Arrow, Bryce Fair and his wife Sherri of Oklahoma City, Sheila Johnson and her husband Dean of Tulsa, 9 grandchildren, Kristin MacDonald and her husband Jared , Marci Sisney and her husband Ben, Patrick Fair, Daniel Fair and his wife Kaysee, Miranda Fair, Mason Fair, Chase Johnson, Chance Johnson and his wife Erin, Chandler Johnson and four great-grandchildren, Madison and Annabel MacDonald and Owen and Simon Sisney. Celebration of Life will be held 10:00 AM, Saturday, April 1, 2023, at Floral Haven, 6500 S 129th E Ave in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Vinita loved colorful clothing and especially things in purple. Guests are invited to honor her by dressing in bright colors.
The family would like to express its sincere gratitude and appreciation to the staff and caregivers at the Baptist Village of Broken Arrow Memory Care Unit, Seasons Hospice, and Clarehouse for the care they provided. If desired, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Clarehouse (https://www.clarehouse.org/) in her memory.
The memorial service will be livestreamed, and recorded. To view go to this link: https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/86491
What’s your fondest memory of Vinita?
What’s a lesson you learned from Vinita?
Share a story where Vinita's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Vinita you’ll never forget.
How did Vinita make you smile?
