Valma Irene Divine
Former Woodward resident, Valma Irene Divine, rejoined her loving Husband and our Heavenly Father on Christmas Eve. Valma Irene Divine was born to Earl and Bessie (Worsham) Clay, November 25, 1923, outside Tahlequah OK. Valma passed away peacefully after a brief illness at her home in Houston, TX where she had lived since November, 1999.
Valma, raised during The Great Depression attended several schools in her earlier life in Oklahoma, Texas and California. She attended and graduated from Oklahoma City Beauty College in May 1946. She married Owen Divine on August 19, 1950 in Enid OK. They moved often following the oil industry throughout Texas and Oklahoma, before settling in Woodward in 1961. Three sons were born in the union, and Valma is survived by, Emmet Earl of Woodward, Ronald Owen & wife Patty, Kingwood TX & Michael Neil & wife Terri, Houston TX. Valma was extremely proud of seven grandchildren, Waylon Allen, Cartersville, GA, Courtney Divine, Houston TX, Katelynn & husband Tony Ezzell, Abilene, TX, Justin & wife, Natalie Divine, Woodward, OK, and Hannah Divine, Kingwood, TX, Blaine & wife, Shannon Ganter, League City, TX, Lauren Ganter, Webster, TX, along with her, 7 Great-Grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Earl Edward and wife Evelyn Clay, East Bridgewater, MA, numerous nieces & nephews, and cousins, along with many close friends.
Early on in Woodward, Valma worked at several restaurants as a waitress, a hair stylist, and finally got into factory work, first at Trego’s Western Wear Factory, then retired from Fruit of Loom Factory.
Valma was extremely active with the Rebekah Lodge, #73 in Woodward, holding several offices including Noble Grand, locally, as well as several district and state offices. Valma regularly attended Elm Street Baptist Church while living in Woodward. After moving to Houston, Valma was actively involved with Clear Lake Baptist Church, where she assisted with the food pantry early on, and was Secretary for the Joy Sunday School Class.
Valma was preceded in death by her husband, Owen, her parents, and sister, Audrey Thomas. Her funeral will be held at 6pm, Sunday, December 28, 2014, with visitation beginning at 5pm, at Clear Lake Baptist Church, Houston TX. Burial will follow, 11am Tuesday, December 30, at Elmwood Cemetery, Woodward, OK. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Clear Lake Baptist Food Pantry or any charity of your choice.
To the Divine Family! So sorry to hear about Valma’s passing. I know she is singing with the angels now and is there with her long-time friend and my mother, Charlotte! I enjoyed the few times I got to go to Woodward and stay with your family! I will be praying for ALL of you, that God will heal your breaking hearts.
Kimi, Thank You so much!
So sorry to hear about your loss today. Valma was a dear lady, and Scott and I are praying for your family.
Michael, I am so very sorry to learn of the passing of your Mother. I had spent quite a few visits with her and she always treated me with the utmost respect. I enjoyed sitting with her and having her tell me about your father and about her family. She was so very proud of the picture blanket that you all had made for her and loved to talk about your family. She also enjoyed telling me stories about growing up with so little and what a great life she had in her latter years.
Thank you for sharing her with me. God Bless