Suzanne Adelle Weaver

Suzanne Adelle Weaver, (Wooten, Morera), 79 year old Delaware, Oklahoma resident went to see her Heavenly Father on November 27, 2024. She was born on August 7, 1945 in Los Angeles, California to Felix and Dorothy (Ellis) Morera. From her childhood, she often shared fond memories of her Grandparents Ellis, their grand yard with roses, gardens and the family cemetery. She and her siblings would make mud pies and used vinegar as their wine. When playing in the cemetery, their grandpa told them it did not matter where they played, to consider it playing on their laps. 

At the age of 17, Suzanne met a red headed Navy man whom she described as, “Like no other she had met.” An Okie from Oklahoma. She had always told herself she would never marry a red headed man, but Suzanne married Herman L. “Red” Wooten in California. After moving to Avant, Oklahoma, they had two daughters. They then moved to Rock Springs, Wyoming where they had their son, moving back to Oklahoma when he was only 2 weeks old. After several moves around northeastern Oklahoma, they finally settled outside of Delaware, OK. The marriage ended in divorce in 1980. At this time, Suzanne went to work at Baker’s Diner in Nowata, then for Dude and Caryl Bell as their housekeeper, but also a caregiver, babysitter, cook and gardener. She developed a lifelong, special sister/friendship with Caryl.

Suzanne was attending the First Baptist Church in Delaware at the time. Her church family gifted her the corner lot, south of the Baptist parsonage that was overgrown with trees and grass, She and her church family cleaned it up so she could move in a trailer house to raise her three children. Her friends, Bob and Linda Gaut, Troja Stand and Linda Travis guided her through the divorce and thereafter with their mutual love of God, and were great teachers of the Bible for her. This is where she was able to settle permanently, to have something she had always dreamed of, a place to make a beautiful yard and a warm, comforting home. She worked hard, never letting her children lack anything and always putting them above herself. Teaching them about a good work ethic, resilience, consistency, strength and faith.

Suzanne married Alvin Odell Weaver in 1986 and in 1987, at the age of 41, they had a daughter, whom she always said was the gift she didn’t know she needed, A blessing from God that kept her young. Suzanne was widowed in October of 2001.

After working for Bell’s for 25 plus years, Suzanne decided it was time for a change. She went to work at Lowe’s in Bartlesville as a cashier full time then later part time. Her favorite time there was Spring when the flowers started showing up in the garden center, and Christmas. She gained a whole bunch of new friends, new hobbies, a new puppy she called Lucy Lou and a new love, Jack L. Tatum, Sr. He introduced her to the Delaware tribe, cultures, new friendships and also bicycling. One of their adventures was bicycling, in her late 60’s, from the Texas border to the Kansas border. Her trip to Hawaii, attending the Powwow with him and their long walks around the pond with her beloved Lucy, were among other things she treasured. After 16 years together, he passed away in 2020. She also retired from Lowe’s at this time.

After retirement, she continued to be on the go. She loved going to the Delaware Center in Bartlesville for lunch with her friends, shopping at Goodwill and other secondhand shops, attending Childers Community Church, Wednesday bible study, working numerous hours in her flower beds with her daughter, sharing her gardening knowledge and spending time with her kids, grandkids, friends and reading her bible. 

Through the years she was able to create a story book garden filled with beautiful flowers, statues, and water features. The fishpond being a favorite of her grandkids. People would drive by just to look at her yard, often stopping for a tour, share flowers, a cup of coffee or to take a rest in the yard swing by her fire pit. She loved feeding and watching the birds, especially hummingbirds.

Her beautiful home was always as cozy and warm as a fire in the dead of winter. A second home, a door always open for anyone who needed a place to rest or sleep. It exuded love and optimism because of her presence. The smell of coffee, food, perfumes or even vanilla bean lotion, filled the air, depending on the time of day.

Suzanne loved fashion, jewelry, clothes, shoes, purses, make up and lipsticks. New clothes for anyone, including her, meant a fashion show in the living room with her cheesy smile. Moments of her brutal honesty brought on the chuckles. She is described as fancy, classy, and beautiful, just to name a few, with all things matching. Everything was bling for days!

Suzanne was a Christian, she loved God and prayed for her children daily. She would often share her “God Winks” stories, about an onion, coins or silver beads. She frequently quoted her favorite bible verse Philippians 4:6-7. “Do not be anxious(worry) about anything, instead, pray about everything and don’t forget to thank God for his answers.” (Whether you liked the answers or not.) “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” She has left notes of guidance in scriptures in her bible, on post it notes and scraps of papers for her children to find. Scriptures, marked with dates and names of when she prayed for them or others.

Suzanne considered her greatest blessing from God to be her children and grandchildren whom she loved more than herself. She is survived by her children, BJ (Jimmy) Houk of Delaware, OK, Carrie (Ryan)Kertesz of Charleston, TN, Josh Wooten of Delaware, OK, Leah (David)Marioni of Ramona, OK. Grandchildren Hannah (David) Lowe of Chattanooga, TN, Andrew (Katie) Houk of S. Coffeyville, OK, Abigail (Jace) Bottoms of Delaware, OK, Violet Conner of Ramona and Baby Marioni coming in April 2025. She was so proud of them, loved them with all she was and made sure they knew it.

She is also survived by Siblings, Mary Welman of Washington, Diane Morera of California, Chris (Blair) Brandrup of Texas. And by her first husband, Red Wooten of Ramona, OK. Some very special friends, and a multitude of nieces, nephews and friends whom she loved freely with open arms.

She is proceeded in death by her honey, Jack Tatum, Sr, her fur baby Lucy and her late husband, Odell Weaver. Parents Dorothy and Felix Morera, Siblings Carol, Frank and David. Also, the person who made the biggest impact in her life and faith, her Pastor Shirley Randall of Childers Full Gospel Church.

The kids ask that she be memorialized by her love of gardening, birds, bling and most of all, by her faith. They ask for you to remember her when participating in these things. 

 

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemoriesnowata.com. Arrangements are in the care of Benjamin Funeral Service of Nowata, Oklahoma.