Anita Himbury

Margaret Anita Ray Himbury, resident of Ponca City, passed away on Sunday, November 2, 2008 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was 85. Anita was born the daughter of Charles Arthur Ray Sr. and Orka Bell Ray on July 31, 1923 in Pittsburg, Kansas. She grew up in Pittsburg, Kansas, and graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1940. She later attended Pittsburg State Teachers College Pittsburg State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1944. She began her teaching career in Virgil, Kansas and while teaching there, she met her roommates brother, Delbert. Anita married Delbert Deb Himbury on January 20, 1946 in Pittsburg, Kansas. Deb was employed with the Phillips Petroleum Company and his job enabled the newlyweds to travel from Texas to Montana in the first few years of their marriage. In 1950 the couple settled in rural Shidler where they enjoyed raising their two children. Anita began teaching at Shidler High School in 1955 and remained there until her retirement in 1983. She taught Home Economics, Chemistry, Family Living and Eighth Grade English. She also taught an evening adult education class in Home Nursing. In addition to teaching at the high school, she was the Future Homemakers of America sponsor for many years and she managed the concession stand at all football and basketball games throughout most of her career as well. The couple remained in Shidler, Oklahoma until 2004 when they moved to Ponca City, Oklahoma. Deb and Anita enjoyed doing many things together. They would purchase several hundred pounds of pecans each year and then pick them out on cold winter evenings and package them to give as gifts to family and friends. Anita enjoyed quilting, needlepoint, sewing, cooking, working puzzles, gardening and spending time with her family. Anita was well known for sending hand written greeting cards to people in the community to honor their birthdays and other special occasions. She would send over 700 greeting cards each year. She took pride in keeping in touch with many of her former students. Anita was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, teacher and friend. She will be greatly missed by those who knew her. Anita was a member of the Retired Teachers Association, PEO Sisterhood where she served as President and other offices, Shidler Chamber of Commerce where she was selected Citizen of the Year in 1999. She was also a lifetime member of Eastern Star and former State Officer for Order of Rainbow in Kansas. Anita was an active member of Shidler United Methodist Church and she attended Woodlands Christian Church during the past few years with her children. She is survived by her children, Richard R. Himbury and wife, Lynda of Ponca City, Oklahoma and Debra J. McConaghy and husband, Glen of Ponca City, Oklahoma; brother, Dr. Harold Ray of Carmichael, California; grandchildren, Steven W. McConaghy, Gwen J. Himbury, Lisa McConaghy Schroeder and husband, Ricky, Jeremy McConaghy and companion, Samantha Hiebert, Jamie Ford and Scarlett Ford Marchman and husband, Ken; and one great granddaughter, Madison Hummell. She is also survived by her loving caregivers, Lynn Short and Lyda Whitener. The family wishes to thank them for their kindness to her during the past few years. She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Deb, in 2004; parents; brother, Charles A. Ray, Jr. and granddaughter, Pamela Himbury. Casket bearers for the service will be Richard Hosack, Richard Robinson, Dave Jacques, Neal McConaghy, Steve Cargill and Jim Buster. Honorary casket bearers will be L.G. Pinky Stone, Jim Jacques, Bob Robertson, Arthur Jacques, Don Newlin, Danny Alexander, Fred Smith and members of PEO Chapter CS. A memorial fund has been established with Shidler United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 366, Shidler, Oklahoma 74652 or with the Shidler Volunteer Fire Department, co Todd Roe. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, November 6, 2008 at Shidler United Methodist Church with the Rev. Ivy Collier, pastor of Shidler United Methodist Church officiating and the Rev. Kerney Graham, retired Methodist minister, assisting. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. Viewing will be at Grace Memorial Chapel in Ponca City until 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday and then Thursday at Shidler United Methodist Church from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.