Frances Kay Huckleby

Frances Kay Huckleby, longtime Nowata resident, passed away October 5, 2024, at the Journey Home in Bartlesville. She was born March 8, 1943, to Edmund Albert Froelich and Ida Mae (White) Froelich in Nowata, Oklahoma and was raised near the little town of Ruby. She grew up spending many happy hours with her parents on their dairy farm. Frances attended first grade through eleventh grade at Childers School, graduating her senior year at Alluwe with the class of 1961.

Frances was of the Lutheran faith and served as church organist for 42 years where she played for weddings and funerals in addition to Sunday service. She was also active in teaching the children’s Sunday school class for many years. In later years, she became a member of the First Church of God and calls it her church family.

Frances started working as a policy underwriter and office manager for The First Insurance Agency in Nowata immediately after graduation. She married her high school sweetheart, Bill Summers, on August 23, 1963, while he was in service with the Navy, living in Chula Vista, California, until he was shipped overseas. She returned to her parents’ home and helped them with their dairy farm operation until his return. Their union remained strong for twenty-nine and ½ years until it was interrupted by Bill’s death due to lung cancer. Together, they had two daughters, Edwina Lowe, and Ilene Summers.

Frances became a substitute teacher for seven years while her daughters were in school and helped chaperone school activities and choreographed school programs for many years. She especially loved working with the children on their Christmas programs. After her children were grown, she was employed as Office Manager for The Bug Man and later began to work for the Nowata County Clerk’s office as Purchasing Agent. She worked there for 11 years. She furthered her career at the Nowata County Extension Center for four years and retired from that office.

While taking line dancing classes with the Two Steppers, she met, fell in love, and married a very special man, Reagan Huckleby, on May 7, 2003. Together they returned to the home place and started their ranch which is now appropriately called Ruby Valley Ranch. Frances loved animals and was a real country girl. She was an all-around lady, loved God, life, family, music, dancing, nature, and the outdoors was her favorite place to be. She was a charter member of the Coker Hills Muzzle Loading Club. She dearly loved spending time with her family and four grandchildren.

Frances is survived by her husband, Reagan Huckleby of the home; daughters, Edwina Lowe and husband, Mitch, and Ilene Summers and companion, Harley; stepdaughters, Shannon Toler and husband, Joey, and Jana Layton and husband, Dillon; grandchildren, Summer Enloe and fiancé David L. Holeman, Tessa Lowe Osborn and husband, Chris, Chelsea Cox and husband, Laramey, and Trint Lowe and fiancé Jackie Heitger; step-grandchildren, Abby and Caleb Toler; great grandchildren, Artimis Morgan Osborn, Rayelon Charles Holeman, Rylee Ty Cox, Rango Steven Cox, and Roslynn Nicole Cox.

She was preceded in death by her late husband, Bill Summers; parents, Ed, and Ida Mae Froelich; son-in-law, Steve Enloe; and her faithful companion, Millie, whom she raised from a puppy.

Graveside services will be held 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, October 8, 2024, in Martin Cemetery with Pastor Andrew Haire, officiating. Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemoriesnowata.com or on the funeral home Facebook page.

Arrangements are in the care of Benjamin Funeral Service of Nowata.