Agnes Stipe, Wife of Sen. Gene Stipe, Dies, Funeral Services Set for Wednesday in McAlester

(Oklahoma City) Agnes Stipe, a longtime community volunteer and wife of State Senator Gene Stipe, died in McAlester on Sunday. Mrs. Stipe, 82, had been battling illness for a number of months.

Sen. Stipe was at his wife's side holding her hand when she passed away at the McAlester hospital at approximately 4:00 p.m. Sunday.

Agnes Stipe was born in Pocasset, Oklahoma in 1920. She graduated from high school there in 1938 and attended the Oklahoma College for Women, Oklahoma Baptist University and the Hill's Business College in Oklahoma City. During World War II, she worked for the Army Department in Washington, DC and Douglas Aircraft in Oklahoma City.

Agnes married Gene Stipe in 1949 not long after he won election to his first political office as a state representative. The couple established their home in McAlester.

While her husband pursued a career in law and politics, Agnes Stipe made her mark as a community volunteer who championed a number of causes, particularly those of deaf Oklahomans. She also managed a retail store in McAlester for 25 years until her retirement at age 75.

Her family and friends will remember her for her compassion, love of travel, sense of humor and independent sense of spirit. Agnes Stipe is survived by her husband Gene, her brother Lloyd George Minter, her only child Beth and three grandchildren.

Funeral services for Mrs. Stipe will be at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the First Baptist Church in McAlester.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Jane Brooks School for the Deaf, P.O. Box 669, Chickasha, OK 73023.

NOTE:
The First Baptist Church of McAlester is located between First and Second Streets on Washington in McAlester. Chaney Harkins Funeral Home in McAlester is assisting with the services.