Vonnie Viola Feary

A funeral ceremony honoring the life of Vonnie Viola Feary will be held 10 AM Friday, February 10, 2023 in the Rivercrest Chapel, 13329 S. Memorial Drive Bixby, OK 74008. Interment will follow at 3 PM in the Resthaven Cemetery of Oklahoma City. A rosary will be held 7 PM Thursday evening, at St. Henry Catholic Church, 8500 N. Owasso Expressway, Owasso, OK 74055.

Vonnie Viola Hovis Feary was born November 4, 1922 in Coffeyville, Kansas to C.W. and Ella Hovis. She was the third of four children. Vonnie's father worked as a driller for Frank Phillips, drilling many wells in both Nowata and Washington counties. The family moved frequently in her younger years.

She started elementary school in Tulsa where Ella opened the original Blue Moon Café, while her father continued drilling oil for Mr. Phillips in the oilfields south and west of Tulsa. They moved several times before eventually settling in a "company house" out in the country between Oklahoma City and Moore (which is now I-35 and I-240).

Vonnie graduated from Foster High School in May of 1941 as Valedictorian and President of her senior class (a feat her younger sister, Evelyn, would duplicate two years later). She continued her education and attended Central Sate College on a scholarship. However, on December 7, 1941 her plans changed forever. Vonnie went to work at Tinker Field joining in the war effort like millions of other young women. It was there that she would meet a handsome, young sergeant in the Army Air Corp., Sgt. John Feary, who was from New York City of all places!

Vonnie always said he was the best dancer on any dance floor. They married on March 3, 1943 in the Base Chapel at Tinker. They were blessed with two sons, John Jr. and Michael. While the boys were young, she stayed home until John and Mike started secondary school. Vonnie then went back to work as an administrative assistant at Tinker. She retired with more than 25 years of service. Retirement didn't last long as she began a "part-time" job at Rose State College. She retired for good 15 years later.

Vonnie lived alone for many years after John passed on March 15, 1980. She stayed busy with her grandchildren, book clubs and many old friends. One thing she will be remembered for is her saying, "I'm alone, but I'm not lonely." In 2010, the family finally convinced her to move to Broken Arrow to be near her family. She was 88 years old and still very active. She decided to move to Bellarose five years ago, where she remained very active until just a few months ago.

Vonnie passed away February 3, 2023. She was preceded by her husband, John Feary; son, Michael (2004); grandson, Walter James; great granddaughter, Katlyn Nicole; brother, Clarence Hovis; and sister, Mary Edwards.

She is survived by her son, John J. Feary and wife, Mary; grandson, John W. Feary, Christopher Michael Feary; granddaughter, Jennifer Ann Feary; six great grandchildren, Ian, Blake, Cassidy, Cade, Gavin and Emma; and sister, Evelyn Clark of Claremore.

 

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