Sally Lucille Hilger

A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at St. Brigid Catholic Church located in Tahlequah, OK at 807 Crafton Street, on Wednesday, March 20th, 2024 at 1:00 PM with Father Jeff Polasek officiating. There will be a visitation on Tuesday, March 19th, 2024 beginning at 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM; then a Rosary will be recited with Deacon Mark Keeley officiating at 6:00 PM. Sally will be laid to rest at Ft. Gibson Citizen’s Cemetery. Online condolences for her family may be left at www.reedculver.com.

Pallbearers for Sally includes Jeff Gormly, Brett Sands, Cameron Parker, Darren Barnett, Rex Fann and Larry Bell. Her honorary pallbearers include Curt McEvers and Don Hilger.

Sally was born on December 18th, 1942 in Haileyville, OK, the daughter of Wynn J. and Lula Mae (Gilliam) Campbell. She was raised along with two brothers, Jimmy Crabtree and Dave Campbell. While growing up, she loved school and could not get enough of Glee Club, where she sang soprano and was in the Drill Team. She was happiest to get out on the dance floor and demonstrate her ability with the Jitterbug. She was fun to be around and everyone’s best friend; she knew no strangers. After she completed school, she met the man that stole her heart and she would spend the rest of her life with James Allen Hilger. They were wed on September 5th, 1959 at the Adair County Courthouse. Sally and James were blessed with a family of two daughters; Judith and Ramona, as well Betty Jane, who passed away at birth.

Never content to sit and watch the world go by, Sally raised her daughters and was gifted as a seamstress and made many of their clothes. Her prowess in the kitchen was phenomenal. She could cook anything; from fancy desserts to the best Sunday dinner. Sally attended college classes and began a career as the secretary to the President of Bacone College. Proving her valued skills as a timely, self-driven woman that could keep the schedules running smooth, Sally saw to it that no task left undone. Her most treasured job in the world was that of wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She cherished the family that God blessed her with and never failed to tell them just how much she adored them. Sally was blessed with a green thumb and her gardening skills were fantastic. She had friends everywhere and had the ability to make you feel like you were the only person on the planet that mattered. Her smile was warm and her laughter contagious. She was always happy to see you and made you feel like family. She never stopped learning, and at the age of 67 was learning the violin. A Christian by faith, she served her Lord and Savior all the days of her life. Sally and James attended St. Brigid Catholic Church of Tahlequah for many years, and finally at Sacred Heart at Sapulpa, OK. She served in the Women’s Guild by helping with dinners and parties. With that famous smile, her life was not perfect; she lost her father at fourteen and baby Betty Jane at the age 23. Yet even when there were clouds, Sally saw the sun and appreciated each new day from beginning to end.

The Lord called this wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, friend on March 14th, 2024 in Tulsa, OK, surrounded by the family that loved and adored her. Sally was 81 years old and leaves a legacy for her family and friends to follow. Sally has gone home to join her mother and father, her brothers, Dave and Jimmy and her precious baby girl, Betty Jane.

Those left to celebrate the life of this remarkable woman includes her husband, James Hilger of the home in Glenpool, OK. Daughters Judith Hilger McEvers and husband Curt of Jenks, OK, and Ramona Hilger Gormly and husband Jeff of Glenpool, OK. She lives on in her three granddaughters, Michaela Gormly Sands and husband Brett of Glenpool, Meghan McEvers Parker and husband Cameron of Jenks, OK, and Brittany Gormly of Okemah, OK.

There are also four great grandchildren, Lynnlee and Brielle Sands of Glenpool; Ruby and Jace Parker of Bixby, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones who have been blessed to have Sally in their lives.

Eternal Rest grant unto her O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.