Obituary for Kathleen Wimberley

Kathleen Wimberley

January 15, 1937 – May 29, 2023

Kathleen Wimberley, 86, passed away on Monday, May 29, 2023, after a very short time with hospice. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, June 9, 2023, at First Presbyterian Church. Arrangements are under the direction of trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W. Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK, 74601.

Kathleen was the middle child of three girls, born January 15, 1937, in Findley, Ohio, to Ed and Ruth Smith. After growing up in Houston, TX, she moved to Midland, TX, with her family, as a teen, where she continued music training, which was always her love and passion. She graduated from North Texas State University, where she met the one love of her life, Jerry Wimberley. They married in 1957 and had three children, Debra Mathews, Walter W. Wimberley and Chris Wimberley; 6 grandchildren, Kathryn Mathews, Stephanie Pruett, Wesley Wimberley, Bradley Wimberley, Candace Mathews, and Kaylee Wimberley; 5 great-grandchildren, Courtney Godfrey, Tyler Kuykendall, Trent Kuykendall, Caitlin Watson and Dylan Watson. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, grandson, Wesley and husband, Jerry.

After moving to Ponca City, OK, in 1960, she taught music two days a week at Kildare Elementary and Bresse, before starting her Piano Studio in which she taught countless students for over 58 years. Many of her students entered state contests and won top honors. She also served as an adjunct judge for OK Music Teach Assoc. She was an interim choir director for over a decade, including her role as the Children’s Choir Director for several years at First Presbyterian Church. In addition, she was also very active in the FC chapter of P.E.O, and was a past president and board member of the PC Federated Music Club, where she also directed the PC Choral Music Workshop for many years.

She traveled to state universities and music festivals throughout the state to perform with the PC Piano Quartet. As a member of the PC Arts & Humanities Council, she served as secretary and was on the PC Community Concert Board, as well. She also served on the committee for the formation of PC Arts Adventure, and served as the chair and co-chair for the piano sections. She loved to play tennis and belonged to the PC Tennis Club. Her countless students will remember her fondly for shaping their love of music and gifting them with her shared passion.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 1505 E Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK 74604, or Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 445 Fairview Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Source: Trout Funeral Home