Hope Sober

Nancy Hope Sober, longtime resident of Ponca City, passed away Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at Westminster Village. She was 83. Hope was born January 4, 1925 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the daughter of Tom Smith and Mai M. Carter Smith. She was inducted into the United States Navy on July 3, 1945 and served as a Navy Wave as a Pharmacist Mate 2nd Class. She was honorably discharged from the Navy on August 23, 1946. After her discharge from the Navy Hope earned her private pilots license in Norman, Oklahoma. Hope had been employed in earlier years as a legal secretary with the Carter Oil Company and Humble Oil Company, both of Tulsa before teaching school in Tulsa for several years. She earned a BS degree from the University of Tulsa in 1966 and her MS from the University in 1972. She was married to Gerald Ray Sober on August 12, 1974 in Tulsa. The couple established their home in Ponca City where she had held many offices with the DAR Chapter and was also a member of the Daughters of the Confederacy. Hope was an avid student of history and was the published author of a historical book about the Cherokee Nation. She was always involved in the area historical research and writing efforts but also enjoyed bird watching and flowers. She and her husband, Gerald were instrumental in helping fund college educations for many young people. She is survived by her four step-children, Nancy Ruth Keathly and husband, Don, of Ponca City, Kay Zang of Oklahoma City, Dick Sober and wife, Janice, and Tom Sober and wife, Pam, all of Ponca City; one sister, Sarah Ragsdale, of Rose, Oklahoma; 12 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; 1 sister and 1 brother. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, November 8, 2008 at the Hope Chapel on the grounds of the I.O.O.F. Cemetery. Hope Chapel was named after Mrs. Sober as a tribute by her husband, Gerald who was the major contributor to the chapels construction. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. A visitation time is set from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, November 7, 2008 at Grace Memorial Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the Blackwell Regional Hospital Hospice, 710 South 13th Street, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631 or to the Ponca City Alzheimers Support Group, in care of Grace Memorial Chapel, 2016 North 14th, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601.