Wavel Ashbaugh's Obituary
Wavel Louisa Therese Davis Ashbaugh(July 8, 1910-March 11, 2019)Our 5th generation matriarch is now dancing in Heaven, ending her extraordinary 108 years on earth.Born and raised in Tulsa, OK, Wavel lived most of her adult life in Encino, Ca and moved back to Tulsa to be near family in 2015.Enrolled as a Muscogee (Creek) Citizen, Wavel was a descendant of the Tulsa Perryman family and some of their genes for longevity were passed on to her. She was the grand-daughter of Clarissa Hodge Perryman Richards (lived until she was 93) and Tulsa pioneer rancher Lewis Wesley Perryman (lived until he was 94). They owned a 160-acre allotment (near Hillcrest Hospital to 14th street) in Tulsa, OK. Due to the contributions the Perryman’s made to the early history of Tulsa, Wavel has always been disappointed at the lack of attention the Perryman Ancestors received in modern times-no parks, streets highways or buildings have been named after the Perryman family. Wavel grew up on her mother’s allotment along “Oil Road” which in current day is bounded by 11th and 15th Streets and Delaware and Lewis Avenues. Her parents divorced when she was 8 and she helped her mother raise her children. Addie only had a fourth-grade education and when Wavel was 11 she told her mother she would take care of everyone. Some of her fondest memories were of growing up the eldest of her two siblings and later going to dances with her brother and sister.Preceded in death by her Mother, Emma Adeline “Addie” (Perryman) Davis Buck (who lived until she was 92) and father, Oliver Edgar Davis, Sr. Paternal grandparents were Samuel C. Davis & Louisa Partridge, however, Oliver was raised as an orphan by “Aunt Rachel” Perryman one of the “First Ladies of Tulsa”.Also preceded in death by:Infant sister Helen Arteleigh DavisSister Leona Lucille “Boots” Davis NeelyBrother Navy Commander Oliver E. Davis Jr.Wavel Attended Kendall Elementary, Tulsa, OK, one semester at Chiloco Indian School, OK and Monte Casino School for Young Ladies, Tulsa, OK. Wavel lived with the nuns during the school year and was in the first high school graduating class of Monte Casino (class of 2) in 1928.Nov 20, 1941 Wavel married Marvin “Ash” Ashbaugh (member of Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame). He was stationed in California during the war and they moved to California to pursue his music career, where he became successful with the Walt Disney Studios and independent jazz bands. Wavel, who had originally dreamed of being a dancer or a nun, pursued different careers -mostly as a secretary and she continued to work full-time until she was 95. Her dream of dancing was realized with her multiple trophy wins for ballroom dancing competitions. Marvin Ashbaugh passed away in 1974.Wavel also was pre-deceased by her dancing partner/love, Fernando Pitta and leaves behind her special relationship with his sons, Shawn, Scott and Steven Pitta. She was also preceded in death by Great Niece Cynthia Christensen and Nephew Sherman Oliver Bailey.Wavel leaves to cherish her memory: (in familial order)Niece Nanette CreamerGreat Niece Teresa & Special Great Nephew Peter Rodrequez, Great Niece Denise Leslie, Great Niece Pam AxsonNiece Linda DavisGreat Niece Merry Fore, Great Niece Adrienne Fore, Great Niece Heather Cicek, Great Nephew Adam ForeNiece Olivia (Bob) MauselGreat Nephew David Mausel and Great Niece Jordana O’ConnellNiece Wavel BrownGreat Niece Christina, and Great Nephews Charles and Mark MilliganNephew Oliver Davis IIIGreat Nephew Jeff, and Great Nieces Libby and LettiGreat Niece Lisa Lucille Bailey, and Great Nephews John Carl Bailey and Michael BaileyGreat Niece (of Marvin Ashbaugh) Tracie Waters and familyWavel is also survived by 20 Great-Great Nieces and Nephews and 10 Great-Great-Great Nieces and Nephews. Wavel never had children of her own but at some point Wavel helped raise most of the above people; if she didn’t raise them directly, they were likely raised by someone that was influenced by her.Perhaps this is why she was fond of asking people: “Do you have any nieces? If not you’d better get some…you can’t live without nieces!”.Additionally, Wavel leaves behind her special pals that daily helped to make her last years happy in “Wavel’s World”: Debbie Olson, Nanette Allen, Debbie Sims, Angel Brown, Meredith Stone and Samantha Marshall. We have been blessed to have you in this season of our lives.A heartfelt thank you to Adam Bechtold and our Forest Hills friends for your partnership in her care. Also, special thanks to the team at St. Francis Hospice for their support this past year.Although Wavel loved flowers, her love of dancing was even greater. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her honor to help younger generations continue to learn to dance. Oklahoma Performing Arts (OPA), In Honor of Wavel Davis Ashbaugh, 9524 East 81st Street, Tulsa, OK 74012. https://www.opan2art.org/Wavel was often quoted as attributing her age to “Being positive and just keep moving. Keep putting one foot in front of the other and dance when you can.” Ashbaugh, Wavel
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