Willeta Lamkin's Obituary
Willeta Lamkin, 80, resident of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma passed away November 28, 2023. She was born January 11, 1943 in Shawnee, Oklahoma to W.C. and Lorene Lowther. She lived life as an oil patch kid in Phillips and Pampa, Texas along with her little brother Billy Ray. Willeta lived a life typical of most kids then: school and its related clubs, dating, church and plenty of family time. She was always drawn to music and longed to become a band director. As a child, she was told that band directing was a career that only belonged to boys and that music teachers were jobs more suited for girls. Ever the obedient-to-her-elders child, she showed respect on the outside. Inside, however, she was spitting nails and thinking, “You just hide and watch me!” Willeta’s God-given talent, determination and the encouragement of her band directors in middle and high school helped pave the way for the adventure of a lifetime.
Willeta graduated from Pampa High School in 1961 and spent a year at West Texas State University in Canyon. Her directing dreams took a little detour as she married and had a daughter, Tina. When Tina began elementary school, Willeta was more determined than ever to earn her degree and be on her way. She graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree with a minor in piano. She masterfully taught piano lessons, accompanied students at solo contests, blessed the congregation at church and played beautifully for her own enjoyment. The year after graduation, she and her family moved to Amarillo, Texas where she started out as a choir director for one year and a junior high band director for two.
Sixteen years in Owasso, Oklahoma proved to be one of the most exciting and rewarding ventures in her teaching career. During those years, her unique and personal form of teaching was key and touched the lives of countless students, parents, the country and around the world. The Pride of Owasso bands competed in various states and appeared in the Tournament of Roses Parade twice and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as well as a fantastic, by-invitation-only trip to Dublin, Ireland.
Willeta spent the final 12 years of her amazing career teaching middle school band in Austin, Texas and could hardly wait to return to Oklahoma where she could really spoil her granddaughters as only a Nana could, and begin another new chapter with her daughter, son-in-law and other family members she’d missed for so long. She spent her retirement years completely unretired and still teaching one way or another…private lessons, three and four-year-old kids in community preschool, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She also spent many years volunteering in the community.
Her accolades and awards in her years as a teacher and director were too numerous to mention, nor would she have wanted them splashed all over. However, she was inducted into the Oklahoma Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame in 1998, toured with the Austin Symphonic Band, judged in several states around the country, and if that wasn’t enough even earned her real estate license!
Willeta was preceded in death by her parents W.C. and Lorene Lowther (Dudley) and her sister Wanda Jean Lowther. She is survived by her daughter Tina Getter (Kevin) and granddaughters Megan Tangellapalli (Paul) and Kristen Getter. She is also survived by her brother Bill Lowther (Arletta), nieces Teri Lowther, Tonya Richardson (Mose), great-nieces Alista, Myla and Corynn Richardson, a loving church family and extended family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the following charities: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, John 3:16 Mission or to the Greater Still ministry at First Baptist Church, Broken Arrow.
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