Narnie (Woddail) Roll

Narnie Woddail Roll was born to George and Wilma Woddail in Beaumont, TX Sept. 5, 1924, the eldest of two children. Narnie was born with the gift of music. She climbed up on a piano bench at age three, picking out the first three notes of “Ain’t She Sweet,” a popular song of the time. As her musical interest grew, her parents recognized her talent and provided her with piano lessons. While still a piano student at age 12, her teacher asked Narnie to give lessons after school to younger students.

After graduating from Lamar Junior College, Narnie attended Texas Women’s University in Denton, TX and graduated with a degree in Music Pedagogy. She was asked to join the TWU faculty and traveled across Texas playing concerts until a friend told her that American Airlines was hiring stewardesses, a highly desirable and glamorous career. She applied and was accepted, graduating from stewardess school in Tulsa in 1946. She was initially based in New York City, flying on DC-3’s, DC-4’s, DC-6’s and Convair aircraft. Her proficiency in Spanish allowed her to move her base to Dallas where she could fly to both coasts and Mexico. Narnie made many lifelong friends with sister stewardesses in the glory days of flying, which she kept as members of the Kiwi Club, retired American Airlines stewardesses who gather annually for conventions across the United States and the Caribbean. In 1978, Narnie composed and wrote the lyrics for the Kiwi Song, which she dedicated and performed at their national convention.

While living in Dallas as a stewardess, Narnie met Paul A. Roll and they instantly recognized in each other kindred spirits. Paul was a former Army Air Corps cadet who was also in the aviation industry, flying to South America with Pan American and Braniff. Narnie flew with American Airlines 3 ½ years before leaving her position to marry Paul. They married July 29, 1950 in a garden wedding in Dallas and spent their honeymoon in Acapulco.

Narnie and Paul established their home and work in Dallas and Houston, where their three children Lisa, Kevin and Lori were born. When Paul had an opportunity to establish a business in Tulsa, they moved their family north. While living in Tulsa, Narnie was accepted by audition into the Piano Study Club, a group of accomplished pianists who performed monthly programs. She often serenaded her children to sleep at night by playing her original piano compositions. She taught all three children to play the piano and created duets and 8-hand pieces on their two pianos. Later, Narnie was chosen as one of five speakers in Oklahoma for the Kiwi Speakers Program, as an American Airlines sales representative who traveled the state to present marketing programs to companies such as Phillips 66, Conoco and numerous civic groups and businesses in northeastern Oklahoma. Paul and Narnie were supporters of Tulsa Civic Ballet, Tulsa Philharmonic and Tulsa Little Theater.

Narnie and Paul moved to Bartlesville, OK in 1973 where they were active members of the community in the arts, education and health care. Narnie was a member of the original advisory committee for OK Mozart. She had an opportunity to be the first female conductor for the Bartlesville Symphony Orchestra’s 2000 opening concert. As a pianist who loved jazz, she requested to showcase a talented jazz couple who performed a Gershwin piece in a normally classical program. Narnie was a renowned pianist who played for many special occasions including events at Hillcrest Country Club, Woolaroc, the Frank Phillips Mansion, Rotary Club and private events.

Narnie and Paul were avid travelers who joined family and friends on national and international trips. One of their favorite trips was on the QE II cruise ship to Europe, returning to the United States on the Concorde supersonic airliner. Another favorite was an elegant trip on the Orient Express European Tour, where she was invited to play the piano.

They were early contributors to Eldercare, and their dedication to elders was evidenced by the Heritage Healthcare facilities they owned and operated in Bartlesville. They were instrumental in the origin of Green Country Senior Living. They were ardent supporters of Theater Bartlesville and Bartlesville Symphony Orchestra. They were recognized by the Bartlesville Allied Arts and Humanities Council in 2006 for their contribution to the arts. They were honored by the Bartlesville Community Foundation as a Legacy Family in 2015 for their contributions to the community. Narnie was awarded the Bruce Price Cultural Award by the Bartlesville Symphony Orchestra in 2022 for her commitment to arts, education and cultural diversity.

Narnie brought music, beauty and inspiration to the lives of many people. She felt blessed by her family and friends, lovely accolades and her long gracious life. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family. Narnie was predeceased by her husband Paul Roll and her brother Vernon Woddail. She is survived by Lisa Roll (spouse Rod Harwood); Kevin Roll, his children Jonathan Roll (partner Beth Lang), Justin Roll (spouse Shayla Davies), and Jessica Roll Sanford (spouse Justin Sanford); Lori Roll, her son Kade Skoog (fiancée Brooke Stouffer); her sister-in-law Litha Woddail and her nephew Greig Woddail (spouse Jan Woddail), their daughter Erin Flores (spouse Jamie Flores), and son Jackson; their daughter Sheri Aldrich (Branden Aldrich), and daughter Lorelei; and her cousin and namesake Narnie McCahn (spouse Dave McCahn) and son Colby McCahn.

A Celebration of Life reception will be held March 28th, 3-6pm at the Hillcrest Country Club. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Narnie Roll’s name to the Bartlesville Community Foundation for the continuing support of the arts, education and culture in Bartlesville.