Colleen Sexton

Colleen, as she was known to friends and family, was born on July 6, 1926, to Louis and Annie May Yancey in Hollis, OK. She met Daniel Sexton in Hollis, Oklahoma and married him on July 10, 1943. They moved to Big Lake, TX soon after the wedding. Daniel was employed in the oil field and Colleen finished her senior year at Reagan County High School, graduating salutatorian in the class of 1944. They would laugh during that first year about every report card Daniel had to sign as her guardian.

Colleen and Dan moved back to Oklahoma and soon became parents to three beautiful children whom they adored: Yancey, Terry and Roxy. They raised their children in Mangum, OK and Amarillo, TX. Colleen worked alongside Daniel, in whatever they were doing, all 67 years of their married life. They were a magnificent team. Whether it was in church as counsellors and Sunday school teachers, or in their own businesses, they cared for everyone that God brought into their lives, friends and family alike.

When Dan retired from the insurance business, Colleen and her daughter, Roxy, opened Colleen’s Bridal Shop in Amarillo, TX. Then they opened two other stores in Lubbock, TX and Guymon, OK. She loved seeing the brides and taking care of their dresses. She was a gifted seamstress. There was truly nothing she couldn’t fix, repair, or create. She was a talented artist, and she loved to garden and to crochet. In everything she did, she did for the glory of her Lord and Savior.

Time marched on, bringing with it grandchildren, sadness, health, illness, great-grandchildren and lots of memories. Colleen lived at the Continental in the last few years of her life. She absolutely loved her time there, making friends who became family. Every Friday afternoon, she gathered with lifelong friends to play canasta. Life was good, and she celebrated with joy at every chance.

One of the sweetest celebrations was a few weeks ago in January, when her sister Christine came to visit. They had always been the best of friends through all life’s joys and trials. No two sisters loved each other more than Colleen and Christine.

Colleen was a daughter, sister, cousin and friend. She was Daniel’s sweetheart and wife, and then she became beloved Mother and mother in law. Her most favorite of names were all the names of Grandmother, Grandmudder, Great-grandmother and Grandmother-dear. She was all these things to all of us. Most importantly, she was the precious daughter of our Heavenly Father. On the bright and beautiful morning of March 31, 2020, Jesus called her home.

Colleen is preceded in death by her precious husband, Daniel Sexton; her dear son, Terry Sexton; sweet son in law, Gordon Kelley; and grandson, Rodney Sexton; her parents, four brothers and one sister. She is survived by her daughter Roxy Kelley and by her son, Yancey Sexton, as well as her sister, Christine Hoover. Colleen has six grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren with another one on the way.

Colleen lived her life with grace and dignity. She was steadfast, strong and loving. She was a wonderful friend and confidant. She was a prayer warrior who prayed for her loved ones without ceasing. She truly loved, and was truly loved by all who knew her.

If Colleen could say one more thing to us, she would tell us to love the Lord, trust Him always, and love our neighbors.