Christina Stubbs

Christina "Tina" South was born in Oklahoma City to Margaret and James South on December 31, 1943. She continued celebrating her New Year's Eve beginning with her distinctive personal flair throughout the years with her husband, family, and friends.

Tina was the oldest of nine children - with four sisters Loriene Marlow, Jeardine Lay, Glenda Rosales, and Katherine Mayfield and four brothers Clarence South, Kenneth South, Harold South, and Ronald South. She lived her entire life in Oklahoma City with the exception of a brief but significant interlude in Tulsa.

She was the proud and deeply caring mother of two sons Joe Garcia (Liz) and Jesse Garcia, the grandmother of two Jarren Garcia and Jennifer Overton and great grandmother of five Jaeley Garcia, Jentri Garcia, Alexis Key, Jax Garcia, and Waylon Overton.

An unforeseen but truly life-alternating event occurred when Dick Stubbs came into her life. Dick managed the Hollies Drive-In in Oklahoma City in 1970 when she went to work there. He quickly recognized and grew to rely on her sharp intellect and mathematical acuity. Then in 1974 while Dick was managing restaurants in Tulsa, Tina went to work at one of those restaurants Pennington's Drive In and so to speak the rest is history.

They eloped to Las Vegas and were married at the Chapel of the Bells in 1974. [Footnote: Not only did their married life begin then, so did her experience with casinos - a pastime she enjoyed for the rest of her life.]

They returned to Oklahoma City where they established themselves as Oklahoma restaurant royalty. [If you don't believe that just accompany them to any restaurant in Oklahoma City where they are instantly recognized and revered.] They practiced their magic for more than 50 years at Oklahoma historic restaurants Buster T. Brown's, Sirloin Corral, Captain's Catch, Applewood's, The Velvet Dove, and finally Cattlemen's Steakhouse which they rescued and brought to national prominence beginning in 1991.

Side by side the two of them fostered and represented Oklahoma restaurant owners and suppliers through their membership in and board positions on the Oklahoma Restaurant Association, National Restaurant Association, and the Mexico branch of the International Restaurant Association. In the process, they ventured all over and made lasting friendships with restaurant owners throughout the country - putting Oklahoma City on the national restaurant map.

But her focus always remained "local" - on her family members and her friends. Near and dear to her heart were "The Girls" - Kanela, Judy, Connie, Sue, and Rawsie - with whom she enjoyed lunches, holidays, and celebrating birthdays.

Her kindness extended to everyone. Her employees, friends, and family alike. She took special pleasure in selecting and gifting to others, celebrating Christmas, and entertaining in her home. Without a doubt, Tina made an indelible mark on the world around her that far outsized her 4'11 ½" stature.

A disclaimer: Apologies if any names or spellings are not totally accurate.

Visitation with family is Wednesday October 28 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home.

Services are on Thursday October 29, 2026 at 2:00 pm at Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home with the Reverend Keith Jacobs officiating.