Nadine Faye McPherson died on April 26, 2019 in Oklahoma City, surrounded by her loving family. The daughter of Henry and Martha Wall, Nadine was born on February 23, 1934 in Hillsboro, Kansas, joining her sister Lucille and brother Stanley. From an early age Nadine loved to sing. During WWII when she was ten, Nadine sang on a local Ponca City radio station every Saturday. Nadine’s father was a Baptist preacher who moved the family to several Oklahoma towns where he pastored local churches. It was in Stilwell, Oklahoma, where she met her first and only boyfriend, Frank McPherson, while they were in high school. This was the beginning of an enduring 70-year love affair: Nadine, the beautiful pastor’s daughter who lived in town, and Frank, the hard-working farm boy. Nadine attended Oklahoma Baptist University until 1955 when she and Frank married. Nadine joined Frank at Oklahoma State University where she graduated with a teaching degree. Her love of OSU and OBU were formed in these early years. While at OSU, their first child David was born. Three more children, Craig, Mark and Rebecca, joined the family as Nadine and Frank moved to Oxnard, California, then to Morgan City, Louisiana in 1960, and finally to the Oklahoma City area in 1973.
Nadine had three great loves in her life. First, she loved Jesus and attributed everything good in her life to a decision she made early in her life to be a follower of Jesus. Out of that flowed her life’s purpose and influenced all of her actions. Second, she loved Frank. She devoted her life to him and he to her. Everything was possible and nothing was too difficult as long as they did it together. Third, she loved her family. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren all experienced Nadine’s unconditional, sacrificial love. She was always available to encourage you when you were struggling, always happy to see you and make you feel important.
Nadine was never one to seek the spotlight, but preferred to make a difference by quietly giving of herself to the people God brought into her life. During the racially charged 1960’s in south Louisiana, Nadine led the first local racially integrated Cub Scout group in the area at her house, and taught in the region’s first racially integrated local public school. Nadine & Frank taught Sunday School for over 40 years to Children, Teenagers, Young Married and Adults. Her volunteering included years of teaching English to those to whom English was their second language. This always led to more opportunities to come alongside and help others.
Nadine was also involved civically. Somewhat surprisingly for a soft-spoken reserved woman, Nadine made regular trips to the Oklahoma prisons from 1995-1999, where she served on the State of Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board. She also served on the Board of Trustees of Oklahoma Baptist University for eight years. She attended First Baptist Church of Moore, OK where she was active in multiple ministries and served on the Long-Range Planning and Pastor Search committees. Nadine’s life was characterized by love and sacrificial service to others, to build them up and point them towards her source of joy & purpose: Jesus.
Nadine is survived by her husband, Frank; 4 children: David (& Melanie) McPherson, Craig (& Judy) McPherson, Mark (& Regina) McPherson, Rebecca (& Richard) Vestal; 14 grandchildren: Jonathan (& Jillian) Vestal, Christopher (& Laura) Vestal, Jennifer (& Justin) Dancer, Peter (& Nichole) McPherson, Marie (& Nicholas) Nelson, Stephanie (& Patrick) Petralie, Daniel (& Mairi) McPherson, Benjamin (& Teryn) McPherson, Timothy (& Natalie) McPherson, Kelly (& Parker) Smith, Jacob McPherson, John McPherson, Luke (& Victoria) McPherson, Adam McPherson; and 18 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends and relatives on Friday, May 3, 2019, between the hours of 5:00pm-8:00pm, at Hahn-Cook Funeral Home (6600 Broadway Extension, Oklahoma City, 73116). Funeral service will take place on Saturday, May 4, 2019, at 10:00am at First Moore Baptist Church (301 NE 27th Street, Moore, 73160).
