Obituaries

Sandra (Sandy) Leigh Whitley was born March 23, 1967, in Oklahoma City. She lived most of her life in El Reno, graduating from El Reno High School. She received an associate degree from Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City.

Private graveside services for Charles Michael Sykes, 77, of Chickasha will be held in the El Reno Cemetery. Charles Michael Sykes, known as Mike, was born Jan. 19, 1943, in Oklahoma City to William Boyd Sykes and Olar A. (Rallans) Sykes. He passed away Monday, April 20, 2020, in Chickasha.

Private graveside services for Jerry Lou Phelps of Minco will be held in the Evergreen Cemetery under the direction of Huber-Reynolds Funeral Home. Jerry passed away April 18, 2020, at her home in Minco. She was born March 8, 1945, in Lawton and was raised in Oklahoma City.

Private graveside services for Thomas Dwain Russell of Minco will be held in the Friendship Cemetery under the direction of Huber-Reynolds Funeral Home. Mr. Russell passed away April 18, 2020, at his home in Minco. He was born Oct. 9, 1945, in Pocasset.

A private graveside service for Malaina Sue Tallbear will be held Thursday in the El Reno Cemetery with Rev. Jim White officiating. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Benson Memorial Chapel. Services are under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Mary Bell, El Reno resident for 49 years, went to be with her Lord and Savior April 11, 2020, in Yukon. She was born July 3, 1935, in Bennington to Roy and Violet Whitmore. On Aug. 13, 1951, she married the love of her life and best friend, Vernon Bell.

Private services for Robert James “Lil Rocc” Meely will be held in the Concho Cemetery under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.    Lil Rocc died April 12, 2020, in El Reno. He was born Dec. 4, 1979, in Oklahoma City.

Metta Bernice Norton, 96, of Salida, Colo., passed away April 8, 2020, at Columbine Manor Care Center in Salida where she had resided the past year. Bernice was born Aug. 21, 1923, in El Reno.

Debra Donnell “Debby” Pence, age 66, passed away April 10, 2020, in Oklahoma City. She was born to Donald Clinton and Bonnie Mae (Paulk) Artherholt on Oct. 18, 1953.

Margy Stephens passed away on Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020, at Dell-Seton Hospital in Austin, Texas. She was born in El Reno, the fourth child of James Ellis and Peggy Walsh Smith.