Nina Marie Provence

Nina Marie Shipman Provence,102,passed away early Friday morning, April 3, 2015 at Red Bud Assisted Living in Perkins OK.
Nina was born February 5, 1913 in Dublin, TX to David N. and Mary Shipman. She had five brothers and four sisters. She was the last surviving member of the family. She is survived by two sons; Carl and his wife, Grace of Stillwater OK and Jim and his wife, Cindy of Sachse TX; four grandchildren; Erin Montayne and husband, Matt of Garland TX, Richard Provence and wife, Aundrea, of Sommerville SC, David Provence and wife, Jeanette, of Morrison OK, Page Provence and husband, Jim George of Stillwater OK, twelve great-grandchildren and three great great-grandchildren.
When Nina was six years old her family moved to Ada, OK where her father had taken over a mattress factory. She met and married Barton Provence in Ada in November 1928. They moved to Wetumka where Bart ran the movie theater and Nina worked in the box office. Their next move was to Beggs OK when Bart became a dealer for Rawleigh products in 1930. Nina became a homemaker and gave piano lessons. In 1943 they moved to Okmulgee OK as Bart had been given the whole county as his territory. Nina taught herself shorthand in order to take dictation and worked as a secretary in the post office until the end of WWII. She then worked at several department stores and in various departments at OSU Tech. She and Bart were divorced in 1955.
Nina next moved to Denton TX in 1960 in order to be with her boys. She was working in the office of the Acme brick plant the day JFK was shot in November 1963. One of the salesmen was listening to the radio with her when the details about the shooter were broadcast. She said the color drained from his face and he blurted out, "that 's my kid brother!" The salesman was Robert Oswald. Within hours the Secret Service sent a two-man detail to question and guard Robert. Nina also had to answer questions and give a statement.
After short stints in other parts of the country Nina moved back to the Stillwater area in the early 70's. During these later years she worked as a secretary in various departments at OSU primarily for Dr. Robert Fite, Dr. Harry Heath and Dr. Ted Agnew who assigned her to help with the Will Rogers project, a compilation of the daily telegrams Will sent back to his newspaper. To keep active after retirement Nina demonstrated products in various grocery stores and sang in several choral groups. She also appeared in the Town and Gown production of "70 Girls 70". In addition to having great musical talent, Nina was also an expert seamstress. She grew up making slipcovers and draperies in the family business, and then made all of her own clothes during her lifetime including caps, hats and sweaters. She stayed in great shape through her habit of walking three miles a day. She was still walking two miles a day into her 80's!
Arrangements are entrusted under the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 7 at 2pm at North Jardot Church of Christ, located at 401 North Jardot, Stillwater, Oklahoma. Interment will follow at the Fairlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday, April 6 from 1:00pm to 8:00pm with family greeting friends from 6 to 8pm.