Audrey Wilcox

Audrey Davine Purkeypile Wilcox passed away peacefully in Norman, Oklahoma on Thursday, March 31, 2016, at the age of 88. Audrey was born June 15, 1927, in Candle, Alaska. She grew up in mining camps and an Eskimo village in northern Alaska where her parents were teachers for the Territory. Her remarkable childhood was documented in the 2008 book,When the Water Runs: Growing Up With Alaska. Her passion for nursing began as a child when she shadowed an itinerant nurse who treated and vaccinated the villagers. She earned a Nursing degree at the University of Washington in 1949.

Audrey met her husband, John, in Fairbanks during his service with the U.S. Air Force. They raised their family in Oklahoma, California, and Texas. She spent twenty years enjoying retirement with John in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. Audrey especially loved teaching women’s Bible studies, volunteering for numerous community organizations, and singing in the church choir. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, nurse and friend who spent her life serving others.

Audrey was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, John R. Wilcox, her parents Irus and Sara Purkeypile, and three sisters, Muriel, Norma, and June.

She is survived by her brother David Purkey, Fairbanks, AK, four children: Cheryl Schuermann and husband Stan of Norman, OK; Allen Wilcox and wife Connie Collingsworth of Mercer Island, WA; Gary Wilcox and wife Angie of Arlington, VA; and Todd Wilcox and wife Carol of Coppell, TX. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren: David Schuermann and wife Emily of Norman, OK; Matthew Schuermann and wife Tana of Norman, OK, Andrew Schuermann and wife Leslie of Stillwater, OK; Erin Wilcox Burns of Arlington, VA; Daniel Schuermann and wife Marcy of Norman, OK, Amy Wilcox of Nashville, TN; Lyndsey Williams and husband Mitchell of Dallas, TX; Courtney Wilcox of Houston, TX; Alexa Wilcox of Cleveland, OH; Elise Wilcox of Cambridge, MA; Connor Wilcox of College Station, TX. Audrey was Gram-Gram to fifteen great-grandchildren.

A memorial service to celebrate the life and legacy of Audrey Wilcox will be held Saturday, April 30 at 2:00 p.m. at Wildwood Community Church, 1501 24th Avenue NE Norman, Oklahoma 73071.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Audrey Wilcox to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation which is tirelessly researching a cure for Alzheimer's disease.

OMRF

825 N.E. 13th Street

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104

(800) 522-0211

http://www.omrf.org/