LEVITA ANDERSON

1926 - 2018

October 25, 1926 - March 3, 2018 OKLAHOMA CITY On March 3, 2018, 91-year-old Levita Kathryn Potter Bayless Anderson passed away at Epworth Villa in Oklahoma City, surrounded by family. Levita was born on Oct. 25, 1926, in Lamont, OK to William and Gladys Jones Potter. Gladys was the daughter of TK Jones, who with Gladys' brothers developed the Jones Boys Groceries, one of the first chains of grocery stores in Oklahoma City. Levita was raised in the Capitol Hill section of Oklahoma City, and, along with her two brothers, attended Lee Elementary school and Capitol Hill Junior and Senior High Schools. Even in school, Levita's charisma and leadership shown. She was active in drama and as a cheerleader. Her final year, she was president of student council. Levita was working as a teller at Capitol Hill Bank when she met John Edward Bayless. The couple were married at the Epworth Methodist Church on June 1, 1948. Though John was working as a salesman at the time, he had aspirations of opening his own business. In 1951, the couple opened the Hickory House Barbecue Restaurant at 25th and South Western. For 37 years, people came from all over Oklahoma City to enjoy the restaurant's traditional cooking. Following in her mother's footsteps, Levita was known for four remarkable traits: her charismatic leadership, her boundless energy, her stylish wardrobe and her perfectly coiffed hair. She was an inspiration to many through the years as she dedicated countless hours to programs at Epworth Methodist Church, the Parent Teacher Association at local and state levels and a host of other civic organizations. In the 1970s, Levita took solo reigns of the Hickory House (John Bayless died in 1974). In addition to the delicious food, it was her vivacious charm and warm hospitality at the restaurant every day that drew people back time and again. Levita married Ferris "Andy" Anderson in 1975; they were married until his death in 2013. Together with Andy, she developed a passion for golf, rising to club champion at the Greens Country Club, where she was very active on the board as well as the links. She participated in statewide senior competitions into her 80s. Levita's activities, passions and contributions are far too great to innumerate, as are the lives that she touched along the way. She is survived by three children, Skip Bayless (and Ernestine Sclafani), of Los Angeles; Rick (and Deann) Bayless, of Chicago; and LuAnn (and Mike) Tucker, of Edmond; plus three grandchildren, Lanie Bayless Sullivan (and Kevin Sullivan), of Chicago; and Lane and Gracie Tucker, of Edmond; and her dog, Buddy. There will be a Memorial Service celebrating Levita's life on Saturday, March 17, 2018, at 2 p.m. at the Metropolitan Baptist Church, 7201 West Britton Road, Oklahoma City. In lieu of flowers, we are collecting funds to be donated in Levita's name to the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Research Center. You can donate at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/levitakanderson https//www.justgiving.com/fundraising/levitakanderson