Berta Faye Rex

Berta Faye Curtis Rex, age 82, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2015, at her home in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. A deeply involved and dedicated community volunteer, Berta Faye was the wife of John W. Rex, former President and Director of American Fidelity Assurance Company. Berta Faye was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on July 15, 1932, to Howard Curtis and Faye Nix Curtis, and she grew up in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She met her future husband in high school in Fort Smith, and she attended both Sophie Newcomb College and the University of Arkansas, where she was very active in the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Berta Faye married John on September 18, 1954, and they had two sons--John H. Rex and David C. Rex. Berta Faye was active in the Junior League in several different cities, before the family settled in Oklahoma City in 1970. She served as a Den Mother and Cub Scout Leader with the Boy Scouts, and she became deeply involved in many local community organizations and charities in Oklahoma City. Berta Faye was a leader and volunteer with the Oklahoma City Orchestra League, and served as Co-chair or key organizer of its very successful Show House fundraising events over the course of many years. Additionally, she was President of the Women’s Committee of the Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra. She was a Founder of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic Society, and was actively involved in its leadership for 25 years. Additionally, she served on the Volunteer Council of the League of American Orchestras from 1987-1993. She was an Honorary Board Member of Allied Arts from 2000-2007. Berta Faye was an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City, where over the years she served as an elder and deacon, as well as a member of the Hand Bell Choir for 30 years. At Westminster, she also served as Head of Communion Guides, was a member of the Worship and Music Team, and delivered Mobile Meals for many years. She served as a board member of the OU Breast Institute. The Junior League of Oklahoma City honored Berta Faye with its Mary Baker Rumsey Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998. For many years Berta Faye was an active leader of the Quail Creek Homeowners' Association, where she took special delight in organizing the annual 4th of July Parade. She was also involved in helping organize events at American Fidelity, and she and John worked in partnership to support many charitable and educational organizations. Their devotion to charitable work was inspiring, and together they made far-reaching contributions to the life of Oklahoma City and beyond. Each year, Berta Faye and John hosted an annual United Way campaign wrap-up “Dove Bar celebration party.” Berta Faye served on the Steering Committee of the Women’s Leadership Council for United Way, and was a Volunteer Tutor in United Way programs. United Way of Central Oklahoma honored her with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009. After her husband John’s death in 2006, she worked to continue his legacy of dedication to and their involvement with projects devoted to early childhood and education. With the naming of the John Rex Charter Elementary School in honor of John, Berta Faye became involved in the organization and planning for the opening of the new school, and she volunteered as a reading tutor there. She and John were members of Quail Creek Golf and Country Club since 1970, and they were devoted fans of the University of Arkansas (resulting in Berta Faye’s enormous and magnificent collection of pigs). Berta Faye was a talented needle-point artist, and was devoted to her family. She is survived by her two sons and daughters-in-law, John H. and Sara K. Rex, of Wellesley, Massachusetts; and David C. and Julie M. Rex, of Plano, Texas. She is also survived by her three grand-daughters: Madeleine K. Rex and Lydia K. Rex, both of Wellesley, Massachusetts; and Mackenzie C. Rex of Plano, Texas. Services will be held on Monday, July 20, 2015, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4400 North Shartel, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in the name of Berta Faye Rex to John Rex Charter Elementary School/Communities Foundation of Oklahoma at 500 W. Sheridan, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102, attn.: Dr. Joe Pierce; or the Westminster Presbyterian Church Foundation, 4400 North Shartel, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118.