Alberta "Bertie" Ann Laster

Alberta Ann Laster, or known by family and friends as Bertie, was born on August 10, 1960 in Bangor, MI, the daughter of Thomas Lloyd Wilson and Beverly Hayworth. She began work at a young age tending to the fruit fields in Michigan, Florida and California and even taking care of her younger brothers. Bertie wore many hats over the course of her life, everything from working at a Kool-Aid Factory, waitressing, head housekeeper at multiple motels, or even as a nursery worker for Midwestern Container Farms. She would later find her career as a secretary for Wilson Construction, where she worked for over 26 years alongside her brother, Lloyd Wilson, and wife Earlene. She took pride in going back to school to earn her GED and attended the Bill Willis Campus for accounting courses. The work did not stop at the door of each business, oftentimes she had more than one job, such as cleaning houses or being a caretaker for several close loved ones. She married Rickey Leon Laster Sr. on May 6, 1980 in Briggs, OK. Together, they raised a family of three children, Angel, Rickey Jr., and Michael. More than anything, being a mother was Bertie’s greatest accomplishment. She could always be found tending to the house. Cleaning and organizing was one of her many hobbies and she made sure everything had a perfect spot. She was a wonderful baker and could cook up just about anything including pies, cakes and homemade candy, just to name a few. When she had a moment to relax, she enjoyed doing color-by-number activities, working puzzles, and watching Hallmark movies. Bertie loved doing things that involved her kids and always looked forward to special holidays and family reunions. She treasured special moments with her husband, like going out to dinner, catching the latest movie, going to car shows, or even briefly joining the Cruis’n Angels Car Club in Muskogee. A Christian by faith, she was baptized at Southeast Baptist Church of Muskogee in 2009. At the age of 63, Bertie was called from this life to her eternal home on December 3, 2023 with family by her side. She had heart of gold and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is preceded in death by her father, Thomas Lloyd Wilson , paternal grandmother, Ella Faye Wilson, mother-in-law and father-in-law, Cloretta and Vernon Laster, one nephew, Lloyd Wilson Jr., beloved friend, Pat Hale, and numerous loved ones that have gone on before her.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Rickey Leon Laster Sr. of the home, one daughter, Angel Philpott of Coweta, OK, two sons, Rickey Laster Jr. and fiancé Jana Evans of Broken Arrow, OK, and Michael Laster and wife Jennifer of Wagoner, OK. She also leaves three brothers, Lloyd Wilson and wife Earlene, Timothy Wilson, and Matthew Feather, all of Wagoner, OK and one sister, Theresa Rutledge and husband Robert of Florida, many nieces, nephews, cousins, a host of friends and her cherished fur babies.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 15, 2023 at 10:30am at Reed-Culver Chapel with Carla Cary officiating. She will be laid to rest at 12:30pm at Fort Gibson National Cemetery. There will be a dinner directly following at The Loft on Lee in downtown Fort Gibson for family and friends to fellowship.

Those serving as pallbearers include Rickey Laster Jr., Mike Laster, Lloyd Wilson Sr., Matt Feather, Jessie Winsett and Todd Laster.

There will be a time of visitation for friends and family on Thursday, December 14, 2023 from 2:00pm until 6:00pm at Reed-Culver Funeral Home. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.reedculver.com for the Laster family.