In the presence of her family, Beverly Martin Jordan Sprehe passed into the arms of her Lord on April 25, 2024, in Oklahoma City, OK, at the age of 94. Beverly was known for her love of family and friends, her charming and caring personality, her wonderful laugh, and her strong faith in God.
Born in the Mississippi River town of Louisiana, MO, in 1929, Beverly was the oldest child of William Augustus Jordan & Mildred Alice (Martin) Jordan. She had one younger brother, William Augustas Jordan, Jr. She attended Eugene Elementary School and Louisiana High School and was active in many of her small hometown events. She maintained friendships “back home” throughout her life.
After graduation, she attended Christian College, in Columbia, Missouri before enrolling at the University of Oklahoma in 1949, where she met her former husband, Paul Francis Sprehe. She graduated in 1951 with a bachelor’s degree in Library Science. She spent the 50’s and 60’s as a homemaker, giving birth to and raising eight children who were her pride and joy.
In 1970, she returned to OU, receiving her Master of Library Science degree before going to work as a librarian for the Oklahoma Metropolitan Library System. She was the head of cataloging for 23 plus years, loving her work and the people during her tenure. She had a vital part in the conversion of the entire manual library card catalog to an online platform.
Beverly was a voracious reader, loved working on genealogy (Oh, how many cemeteries did she drag her kids to?!), watching movies, and visiting with friends and family. She was very proud of her membership in the Oklahoma Historical Society, the Oklahoma Genealogical Society, Friends of the Library, and the Alpha Chi Omega sorority at OU.
More than anything else, Bev always said her greatest accomplishment was raising her eight children. She will be forever known as GmaBev by her 12 grandchildren (and great-grandchildren) who she enjoyed fully and adored with all her heart. She loved her extended family including nieces and nephews and all her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law who she maintained good relationships with even after her divorce from Paul in 1972.
Beverly was the epitome of bravery, courage, kindness, generosity, and love. She faced life's challenges with strength and grace, always putting the needs of her children and grandchildren above her own. Her selflessness knew no bounds, as she poured her heart and soul into nurturing and supporting her family, ensuring they each felt cherished and valued at every turn. Her life was a testament to the power of love and compassion, and her legacy will continue to inspire and live on in generations to come. Though she may no longer be with us in body, her spirit lives on in the countless lives she touched, leaving an indelible mark of warmth, wisdom, and unwavering love.
Beverly is survived by her eight children: Mary (Steve) Mangus, Paul (Kris) Sprehe, David (Terri) Sprehe, Betsy (Ken) Currey, Jeni (Bill) Fair, Nancy Sprehe, Jane (Bill) Alley, and Tim (Tara) Sprehe. She has 12 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The celebration of her life will include Mass followed by lunch at Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church, which will be held on June 17th, 2024, at 11:00 am. The church is located at 7336 W Britton Rd. in Oklahoma City, OK. A family burial will be held the following morning, June 18th, at 10:00 am at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, 8701 NW Expressway, OKC.
In lieu of flowers, Beverly’s family asks that you remember her with a gift to either the Library Endowment Trust (https://supportmls.org/let/donate-now/) or by supporting others in need through your local church or community shelter.
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