Belinda Kaye McCormick

Belinda Kaye McCormick, age 68, of Sapulpa, Oklahoma went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, March 20th, 2018.  She was born on July 15th, 1949 to Dr. Carl and Jewell (Gibson) Mahaney in Tahlequah, OK. 

Growing up in Tahlequah, OK Belinda traveled and played hymns at several country churches by the age of five. At the age of ten, she was selected to perform with the Tulsa Philharmonic Orchestra.  She graduated from Tahlequah High School in 1967 and married the love of her life Robert McCormick that same year.  She attained her Bachelor of Arts in Education from NSU in 1971 and moved to Sapulpa where she began teaching elementary school music.  Belinda had 26 years of classroom instruction and went above and beyond to direct and produce numerous school musical programs.  Her choirs attended and performed at yearly music festivals and contests achieving superior ratings, and were invited to sing at various state and national choral events.  She received numerous professional educational awards such as the Distinguished Service Award in 1992 from the Sapulpa Board of Education.

During her time as a vocal music instructor, she acquired her masters in counseling from NSU. She was a counselor for Jr/Sr High for 9 years.  Belinda retired in 2007 after counseling and teaching choir in Sapulpa for 35 years. 

Belinda was involved in numerous professional and community organizations.  One of her greatest passions was directing the Choir at First United Methodist Church in Sapulpa for 31 years. Since 2006, she has been a member of PEO, Chapter G, holding multiple offices including president for two terms.  She was a member of Creek County Retired Teachers Association, NEA, OEA, USE, ACDA, OCDA, NAFME, and OMEA. 

Her additional activities included playing piano for the Lions Club, performing with the Sapulpa Community Players in various melodramas, and teaching piano lessons. She touched so many lives throughout the years, and has never gone anywhere that someone didn’t know and love her.

Belinda enjoyed playing classical music on the piano, gardening, planning trips and traveling, camping, fishing, embroidery, and spending time with her family, friends, and beloved Mitzi.

Belinda is survived by her husband, Robert McCormick; daughter, Sarah and husband EC Gabehart of Lafayette, LA; son, John Robert and wife Rebecca McCormick of Sapulpa; brother, Dr. James Mahaney of Tahlequah; and nephew, Nick and wife Allie Mahaney of Tahlequah.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father; mother and father-in-law, John and Laverne McCormick; nephew, Mark Mahaney; grandparents, Jim and Marie Mahaney, James Somers Gibson, and Cooie and Gertie Meigs; and numerous uncles aunts and cousins.

Visitation will be held from 5-7pm Friday March 23rd at Smith Funeral Home, 1208 S Main St, Sapulpa, OK.  Her Celebration of Life led by Dr. Allen Schneider will be held at 2pm on Saturday March 24th at Sapulpa’s First United Methodist Church.  She will be interred at Greenhill Memorial Gardens following the service.  Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Smith Funeral Home.