Emogene Ethel Caraway was born to parents George and Ethel Startz of Alice Texas on January 25, 1934. She was the second of eight children. She attended Ben Bolt schools and was 1 of 7 in her graduating class. Emogene met Billy Lyons Caraway at a gathering during high school. Their first date was in a Model T! Bill and Emogene were married August 24, 1951. Bill joined the Air Force and was stationed in Nebraska when baby #1 came - Sandra Jean, born July 11, 1953. Jean then went back to South Texas while Bill was TDY. They moved to Midwest City shortly before baby #2 David Lyons was born February 25, 1955. Soon to follow was baby #3 Timothy Lee, born February 19, 1956, and baby #4 Billy Micheal came the next year on March 9, 1957.
In 1962 the family moved half of an Army barracks to the current home place, affectionately called Fort Klod! Bill worked on the house to be, Jean tried to raise, educate, and love four babies! The family always enjoyed an abundance of garden fresh or freshly canned food. The garden was their daily pass time and we all benefited greatly from her efforts. Jean always kept a beautiful home and garden. She always had something to feed you. She enjoyed watching birds and could identify most of ours! Her life has been greatly influenced by her Primitive Baptist beliefs and practices. She loves to attend church and did so until this July.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Elmer Ray and William Startz; two sisters Lois Ann Mullen and Dorothy and her husband George Parchman. She continued to grieve the loss of her husband in 2000; the loss of her daughter Sandra in 2016 and daughter-in-law Pamela Sue in 2023.
Survivors are 3 brothers Sherman, Edgar, and Ernest; Granddaughter Lori Michelle, her husband Sam Orman, and their two daughters Emma and Leann of the home. David, his wife Beckey of Choctaw, Mike of Moore, Tim and partner Jimmie of OKC, and Daryl Brandon of Del City. She also leaves behind 8 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.
Jean passed at home with no pain after reminiscing in an old trunk of collectables and photos. Jean was a beautiful woman that endured what her life dealt her, with grace and humor. She had a way of making chores fun! She will be greatly missed by her dear loved ones. We know her heart told her she would be “In the outstretched, loving arms of Jesus”.
