Wilda Flaming

Wilda Lynn May Flaming was born on July 18, 1939 at the Purcell Regional Hospital to Bryce and Vertie Jo May.  On March 13, 2023 Wilda was called home in the arms of her loving Lord and Savior. She attended Valley Grove School in Corbett through eighth grade and then Lexington School until she graduated in 1957. After graduation, Wilda attended nurses training in Enid. While in nurses training, she met the love of her life. Royce and Wilda were united in marriage on October 31, 1959. The couple resided in Fairview until moving to Cherokee.

While there they started their family with Randy, then twins Barbara and Brenda. Later the couple moved to Sentinel where Royce managed the T.H. Roger Lumber Yard. While in Sentinel they welcomed their son, Michael.

Royce and Wilda took their young family on many vacations. They traveled up and down Route 66 Highway through many states. The family’s passion was camping, water skiing, and fishing, although Wilda never learned to swim. Ok, maybe she could dog-paddle when in a panic.

Royce and Wilda moved back to Cherokee and built their family business, Sav-A-Trip Convenient Stores, which they had for many years. Wilda also owned and operated her own daycare for many years. She loved all of the children she cared for as her own, and they have always been dear to her heart. Wilda and Royce traveled for several years all over the United States and many other countries for business and pleasure. The Lord was the center of her life. It was her passion to teach her children, grandchildren, and great grandchild about the Lord.  The family attended the First Baptist Church. Wilda taught Sunday School, VBS, and children’s church. She was also very active in the women’s ministry, mission trips with her children and grandchildren, and many other areas of service. Her favorite was the Wednesday night Children’s Church (GA’s) which she taught for over 30 years.

Wilda was active in her children’s school activities volunteering her time with Speech & Debate, FFA, Band, and music trips. Wilda has always been a light for youth in her community helping as a Girl Scout Leader, which was her passion, as well as 4-H leader and many other youth activities through the years.

She was a lifelong member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, and the home extension group the Domes-ti-cate. She particularly enjoyed making crafts, hand embroidery, and food items for the county fair every year, especially her hand-made wreaths which she would win grand champion most every year.  Later on in life Wilda served as a Board member for ACB Bank alongside her husband for many years. Some of the community activities she enjoyed were Red Hats, local blood drives, the breakfast group and Lunch Bunch, and Senior moments with FBC. If there was something going on in town you were sure to see her right in the middle of helping serve others.

Wilda is survived by her husband, Royce of 64 years; two daughters, Brenda Salinas and husband, Jose, Barbara Flaming; daughter-in-law, Teresa Flaming, all of Cherokee; grandchildren, Rebecca and John Bowman, Jacob and Mikala Salinas, all of Cherokee, Mathew Flaming of Tahlequah, Ashley and Aaren Blossom, and Bryce Flaming all of Cherokee; great grandchildren, and many other nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bryce and Vertie Jo May, brother Bob, and sons, Randy Flaming and Michael Flaming.

Funeral service for Wilda will be Saturday, March 18, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Cherokee First Baptist Church.  Viewing will be Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. with family present from 5:00 until 7:00.  www.lanmanmemorials.com  Facebook: Lanman Funeral Home Inc.

Memorials may be given to the FBC Youth Fellowship through the funeral home.