Beverly "Charlene" West

Beverly "Charlene" West, of Oklahoma City, passed from this life on February 1, 2026, at the age of 84. She was born on February 18, 1941, in Ingersoll, Oklahoma, to Henry Edwin and Alma Esta (Ellis) Johnson.

Charlene married the love of her life, Johnnie West, on August 21, 1960, at the age of 19, and they were faithful companions for 65 years. Their story began early-when Johnnie was in the fourth grade, his class was made up entirely of boys. When Charlene joined the school in fifth grade, she changed all that, becoming the only girl in an all-boy classroom.

With a lifelong passion for dancing, Charlene and Johnnie shared a special love for square dancing-only with each other. They belonged to an exhibition square dance club, where they performed dances without touching, and traveled to several national square-dancing conventions to perform.

Charlene began her working life at Prairie Queen Grade School as a dishwasher in the cafeteria, determined to earn enough to buy a dishwasher for her home. She later became a teacher's assistant for the deaf, where she learned sign language. With her kind and compassionate heart, she then assisted at OU Children's Hospital, including caring for a child who had no arms. After her time at the hospital, Beverly served as an assistant at Lincoln Middle School and later as the school librarian at Herronville School, where she worked until her retirement in 1997.

Charlene and Johnnie opened their home and hearts to the world by hosting twelve exchange students, each for a full school year-three from Finland, one from Denmark, two from Germany, one from Sweden, one from the Netherlands, one from Japan, one from Okinawa, one from Brazil, and one from Chile.

Beginning in 1971, Charlene and Johnnie enjoyed camping and belonged to as many as three camping clubs at one time. Since 2008, they spent most winters in South Texas. Beverly also loved water skiing and snow skiing, and together they traveled extensively, visiting most of the United States.

Above all else, Charlene's first love was her Lord and Savior, and she treasured time spent with her family. She touched countless lives through her kindness, compassion, and quiet strength, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

She leaves to cherish her memory her beloved husband of 65 years, Johnnie West; daughter Tammie McDonald and husband Jeff; son Ronnie West and wife Cheryl; grandchildren Ashley Sheble and husband Tyler, Mike West, Rosstin McDonald and wife Aislin, Josh West & wife, Ashleigh, Maddie Paluszek and husband Jan, Sam West & wife, Lauren, and Jordan West; great-grandchildren Hali, Ben, Addie, Penny, and Olivia.

Charlene is preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Alma Johnson; brothers Clyde and Harold; and sisters Vera, Toni, Patty, LaVelle, Jonnie, Mary, and Jewel.

Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 PM, on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at the John M. Ireland Funeral Home & Chapel, located at 120 South Broadway, in Moore, Oklahoma. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 PM. Services to celebrate Charlene's life will be held at 10:00 AM. on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Southern Hills Baptist Church, 8601 S. Pennsylvania Avenue, in Oklahoma City. She will be laid to rest at 3:00 PM. at Pond Creek Cemetery in Pond Creek, Oklahoma.

Services are under the direction of John M. Ireland Funeral Home & Chapel, Moore, Oklahoma.

Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 PM, on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at the John M. Ireland Funeral Home & Chapel, located at 120 South Broadway, in Moore, Oklahoma. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 PM. Services to celebrate Beverly's life will be held at 10:00 AM. on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Southern Hills Baptist Church, 8601 S. Pennsylvania Avenue, in Oklahoma City. She will be laid to rest at 3:00 PM. at Pond Creek Cemetery in Pond Creek, Oklahoma.

Services are under the direction of John M. Ireland Funeral Home & Chapel.