CLETA CHEATWOOD

CLETA CHEATWOOD 06/21/1934 - 10/02/2025 Lawton resident Cleta Mae "Scooter" Pybas Cheatwood left this world on Thursday, October 2 at the age of 91. She loved her family and her country and devoted herself to service throughout her life. Born on the family farm in Trousdale, Okla., on June 21, 1934, she was the seventh of nine children born to Jesse Cardwell Pybas and Iva Monkres Pybas. She graduated from Trousdale High School in 1952 and a year later married Ralph Cheatwood, a career U.S. Army soldier. They were married until his death in 1995. Mrs. Cheatwood was a devoted Army wife. Earlier this year, her service to her country was recognized when she was presented with a Spouse Lapel Pin and Certificate of the Vietnam War Commemoration Medal. Her local volunteer work included Ladies Auxiliary VFW, Camp Fire Girls, and March of Dimes. An arts supporter and patron, she donated her skills, time and funds (and often furnishings from her home) to theater and film productions at Lawton High School, Cameron University and Lawton Community Theater, as well as supporting various theater and film projects that her daughters were involved in in Oklahoma, Texas, and New York City. Mrs. Cheatwood was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her siblings, and son-in-law Mark Daves. She is survived by her daughter Sharon Cheatwood (Lawton), Nancy Cheatwood Ellis and son-in-law Steven Ellis (Colorado Springs), and Vicki Cheatwood (Dallas), grandchildren Austin Ellis, Jacey Ellis, Ethan Daves and Caleb Daves, brother-in-law Floyd Cheatwood, sister-in-law Betty Sue Pybas, many nieces and nephews, and her roadtrip buddy Sheila Moe Anderson. During her lengthy illness, Mrs. Cheatwood was blessed with wonderful nurses and caregivers, including Presley, Cameron, Logan, Ursula, Joe, April, Eva, Holly, Laura, Wyn, and especially Margaret, who devotedly attended her in death. Donations in Mrs. Cheatwood's honor may be made to the Lawton Food Bank. The family also encourages donations of flowers and plants to hospitals and care centers, especially those that serve veterans, soldiers, and their families. Funeral service for Cleta Cheatwood, 91, of Lawton, Okla., will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at Lawton Ritter Gray Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Post Cemetery.