Deloris Agee

Deloris Agee
Services for Deloris Mae Agee, 88, of Ada are 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 18, 2025, at the Criswell Funeral Home Chapel, Darrell Walker and Brian Brashier will officiate.
Mama passed away Sunday, July 13, 2025, at an Ada hospital. She was born May 1, 1937, at her parents' home at Pecan Grove, Oklahoma to Thomas Aaron and LouTishie Mae McFarland Ross. The doctor's wagon got stuck in the creek. So, Mama came into the world with only her mother's assistance.
She attended the one-room Pecan Grove schoolhouse before attending Latta Schools. She excelled in basketball, art, sewing, and especially singing. She performed at the McSwain Theater in Ada, sang at many weddings and funerals, and was offered a scholarship in Vocal Music at East Central University in Ada.
She met Tom Agee in 8th grade at Latta. Tom was out of school, working to support his family, when a friend brought him to a Latta basketball game. He said, "Come to school here, and maybe you can date pretty girls like her." Daddy said Mama looked back over her shoulder at him, and her eyes were so big, he thought he saw a "hoot owl". Maybe that was the deciding factor in him enrolling at Latta. They dated through high school, and married on November 19, 1955, at the Ahloso Church of Christ. They had three daughters and enjoyed life in the country, where Mama oversaw a huge garden, froze and canned the harvest, milked the cow, made butter, and cultivated an array of flowers. She also sewed beautiful clothes for her girls, and was known for her cooking. No one left her table hungry! She and Tom didn't have a storybook marriage. They even divorced, then remarried. But she loved him throughout, to her final days, and stood by him as time took its toll on his mind and body.
To help make ends meet, Mama took a job at General Tire (now Flex-N-Gate) in Ada. That "temporary" job led to a 25-year career. She was respected by her co-workers, made great friendships, and, very importantly, walked a picket line to establish a union there. She put her job on the line to help improve conditions and pay at the plant, though the pay was never near enough for the grueling work. Co-workers remember that Mama's hair and makeup always looked pretty, even in trying work conditions.
Mama's striking beauty is often mentioned. She was truly "movie star pretty". Complete strangers would approach us in stores, and tell Mama of her beauty. And she loved it! She was our queen, and enjoyed being complimented and catered to. And we were happy to serve her.
Mama loved music, from Dolly Parton to Barbra Streisand - the NFL, especially watching her "grandsons", Jalen Hurts, Kyler Murray, Patrick Mahomes, and Baker Mayfield – anything that sparkled, especially jewelry – Sooner softball and women's basketball – hummingbirds, butterflies, and the flowers that drew them. She loved cooking a great meal for others, and finding just the right gift. She created magical Christmases for her girls, usually by making layaway purchases months earlier.
Survivors include her husband, James Thomas (Tom), of the home; three daughters, Tracy Roller of Ada, Gina DeHoyos and husband, Mama's beloved "son", Jess of McLoud, and Tishia Agee of Ada; two grandchildren, Jordan Roller of Norman and Rachel Roller of Ada, and beloved extended family including nephew, Darrell Walker, co-officiate at her funeral.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Lyda Jean Prater; brother, Gwendol Ross; two nephews, Wesley Prater and Conla' Ross; and a niece, Beverly Ross.
Mama was bossy and opinionated and ruled our roost. And we are lost without her. But her strength, beauty, and love will always be remembered.