Nedra Rae (Overholt) Will

Nedra Rae (Overholt) Will, 84, of Morrison Oklahoma went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, March 18, 2022 at home with her family by her side. She lived a wonderful life full of joy, compassion, and dedication to her family, friends, church and community. From her younger days to the end of her life’s journey she was known for her trademark “smile and laughter” to everyone who knew her.

Nedra was born on a snowy day on February 14, 1938, in the home of her parents, Wilfred and Alice Overholt, south of Stillwater. She attended Oak Grove country school from first through third grades and later transferred to Perkins school system where she graduated as Valedictorian in 1956. While in school, Nedra was involved in basketball, band, the Lost Creek Methodist Youth Fellowship and was an active member with the Farmers Union Youth Program where she first met the love of her life, Eldon Jay Will.

During her high school years and one semester at Oklahoma A&M College, Nedra worked at the lunch counter of Woolworths Department Store in Stillwater. In 1957, she moved to Oklahoma City where she began working for the Department of Human Services - Welfare Department at the state capitol. During this time she reconnected with Eldon at her sister’s wedding and began dating for three years. They were married on October 22, 1960 at the Lost Creek Methodist Church from which their union lasted more than 61 beautiful years.

Nedra and Eldon started their married life living in Oklahoma City and then moved to the VanArsdale Farm in 1961 where Nedra transferred to the Stillwater Welfare Department. In March 1962 their daughter, Brenda Kay was born and Nedra resigned from her job to be a stay at home mother and homemaker, and to assist Eldon with his farming. Later in 1962, the family moved into their new home where they continued living to this day. In February 1964 their son Randall Wayne (Randy) was born. In October 1976 their son Bryon Jay completed the family.

Holidays were special to Nedra as she hosted many annual extended family meals. You could always count on her dressing in festive clothes and jewelry. This would bring smiles to everyone who saw her.

Nedra’s pride and joy were her children and she enjoyed all aspects of their growing lives. She attended all their various scholastic, musical, and social activities and was a dedicated 4-H and FFA leader.

Nedra was active with the local Oak Grove Home Extension group where she was recognized as a 50 year member, an accomplishment her mother also achieved with her local group. She served on various projects and leadership positions at a local and county level and took pride in her sewing, baking and craft entries at the annual Noble County Fair representing the club.

Nedra dedicated her life to the Lord at a young age and was a member of the Morrison Christian Church. She was a Deacon, Choir Member and served on all levels of the Ladies Aide group in which she organized various projects and church dinners throughout the year. Her most passionate memories were being the pre-school Sunday school teacher and organizing the annual children’s Christmas program where the audience enjoyed her father playing Santa Claus. She also enjoyed being the craft teacher for the annual bible school where the youth would make ceramic nativity scenes.

Nedra was known in her community for her many talents including cooking, baking, sewing and her love of making ceramics. Many in the community have wonderful memories of having a piece of her talent by receipt of a teacher’s gift or a purchase of her many community donations including the annual Morrison Lions Club and Senior Citizens auctions or church bazaars. Even more were able to purchase her ceramics at various local craft shows where they have shared memories with her family.

In 1995 Nedra became a toll gate operator on the Cimarron Turnpike Highway 177 gate until she retired in 2005. In her later years she enjoyed eating daily lunches at the Morrison Senior Citizens and hearing the Morrison Christian Hearts singing at various functions. One of her last sewing projects was making a quilt for each of her children which was a lifelong goal of hers. Having her family around her, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who meant so much to her the last few years when her health limited her stay at home. She will be missed dearly by all her family and friends.

Nedra was preceded in death by her parents, Wilfred and Alice Overholt, her brother Maurice Overholt, sister-in-law Marilyn Overholt, and her brothers-in-law, Kenneth Will and William (Bill) Will.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Eldon Will of the home; daughter, Brenda Will of Morrison, two sons, Randy Will and wife Tammy of Morrison, and Bryon Will and wife Mandy of Yukon; grandchildren, Adam Braly of Lusby, MD, Aaron Braly and wife Sarai of Tucson, AZ, Andi Harding and husband Aaron of Morrison, Conner Hayes and Cash Will of Yukon; great-grandchildren, Aliza and August Harding of Morrison; two sisters, Saralee Wallen and husband George of Lakewood, CO, and Delores Dunivan of Stillwater; two brothers-in-law, Dale Dunivan of Perry, and Earl D. Will of Tulsa; two sisters-in-law Marie Will of Morrison, and Donnella Will of Alpharetta, GA; and many nephews, nieces, and extended family and friends.

Visitation will be Wednesday, March 23, 2022 from 9AM to 8PM at Dighton-Marler Funeral Home of Stillwater. Family will greet guests from 6PM to 8PM. A Celebration of Nedra’s life will be held on Thursday, March 24, 2022 at 10AM at the Morrison Christian Church with pastor Roy Fleshman officiating. Interment will follow at Pleasant Valley Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Aaron Harding, Conner Hayes, Eric Will, Doug Will, John Dunivan, and James Baker. Funeral services have been entrusted to the care of Dighton-Marler Funeral Home, Stillwater.

Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.dightonmarler.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Morrison Christian Church in c/o Dighton-Marler Funeral Home, 5106 N. Washington, OK., 74075.