Sarah L Trussell

On July 28, 1943, Sarah (Sally) Louise (Hightower) Trussell was born in Brownwood, Texas. She is the daughter of H.C. (Bill) and Ruby L. (Starr) Hightower. After a lengthy bout with lung cancer, the Lord came and took her into Heaven at Hillcrest Medical Center, February 22, 2017 surrounded by her loving family; Sarah was read to leave this earth, so she could be with her parents once again. The bond with her mom and dad was always with her throughout her life and after life. Throughout her school years and while her father was in the military, she attended school in several states including Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Indiana and New York. While a small child and into her teenage years, she had a nomadic life. Her mom and dad, grandparents and aunts and uncles were adventurous people; when one family would move, the other families would move to the same town. They always stayed together as one big happy family. Sarah never regretted moving from state to state. She said she had a lifetime of experiences in meeting people, seeing different places and traveling; many experiences many people never have the opportunity to experience. Sarah became a Baptist at the age of 12 and continued her Christian faith throughout her life. She would rather give than receive, and she was a very compassionate and tender hearted person. She cried from sadness and cried when she was happy; usually about her family, her country and the men and women fighting to keep us free. She loved her family, and as a patriotic person to her country, she was unveiled in her heart and in her home. Sarah gave to many organizations, but the two who received funds regularly was St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital of Memphis, TN and St Joseph’s Indian School of Chamberlain, SD. Sarah began her career in administration at the age of 14. Her first job was a clerk at Garvey Investment Company. Throughout her life, she worked as a secretary, executive secretary, administrative assistant and was a professional model. After over ten years working for several insurance agencies in Muskogee writing personal and commercial lines, she decided to change careers. So, she worked at E & F Construction at the OG&E Plant as an Equipment Operator, TCI Cable District Office as an Administrative Assistant, Oklahoma Rig & Supply in the Import and Export Department, and the Muskogee City County Port Authority as an Executive Secretary. She was a loyal employee and enjoyed working for most of her past employers. Presently, Sarah and her husband Phil are were the former owners of Home Insulation and Seamless Guttering of Muskogee. When she was a teenager, she appeared on Channel 10’s life televised Christmas program in Wichita, Kansas and she was one of several, who sang solos during the program. Sarah had an excellent voice for a 13 year old. Those were the pioneer days of television broadcasting and the station was located in a metal building. At the age of 15, she started an extensive modeling career which extended form Wichita, Kansas to Kansas City, Missouri. However, she gave it up at the age of 20 when her oldest son was born. In 1969, she moved to Muskogee from New Mexico and has resided in this area since then. In previous years, she was active in many organizations in Muskogee. She was the sweetheart pledge of Beta Eta of ESA Sorority, and held offices including Sorority President. Also, she held several offices within the ESA Council. She held several offices in The Insurance Women of Muskogee. She was a member of the American Heart Association and was a Charter Member of the Oklahoma Army National Guard Woman’s Auxiliary. She held several offices in the American Legion Woman’s Auxiliary. Sarah loved gardening and working outside. She also loved creating different art work, genealogy and crossword puzzles as they had been a challenge since she was a young girl. Sarah loved enlarging old family photos and framing them to give to relatives for their enjoyment. She had a passion for NASCAR Racing and Dale, Jr. was her favorite driver. She had a heart for helping and giving. She always strived to be a perfectionist in every endeavor she undertook, but she never had enough time to do all of the things she wanted to do. Her life was her family and close friends. She was always there for them no matter the circumstances and hardships she had of her own. Due to her health declining yearly, she wasn’t able to do many of the things she loved. Her activities were limited for several years, and it affected her every day. When her oldest son Bret was about 4 years old, he told his momma “when you die and go to heaven, you will have a front row seat, because you are a good momma”. Sarah had a very deep and special love with her children, grandchildren, great granddaughters and great grandsons. She was always there to help them, to listen to them when they spoke, and always loved them with passion and kindness. She was called Mother, Mom and Momma by her children; her grandchildren called her Grams, Granny and Grandma Sally, and Grandmother. They could call her anything and she would answer. She thought the best gifts are tied with heartstrings and one of her favorite sayings was sent to her from her brother; “Family and Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly”. During her years of illness, her husband, children, grandchildren, loving cousins, sisters-in-law and other family members were by her side to help and comfort her. Mrs. Trussell was preceded in death by her loving mother, Ruby L. Hightower; her loving father, Bill Hightower; her maternal grandparents, James F. and Sarah G. (Sundback) Starr; paternal grandparents, Glyn W. and Mary L. (Cline) Hightower; niece, Elizabeth L. Hightower; stepdaughters, Robin D. Anderson and Tina McDaniel; uncles, Carl E Swenke, Bob G. Hightower and Jack C. Hightower; great uncle, Sterling Sylvester Hightower; aunts, Bonnie L Curcio, Opal Hightower, Betty J. Swenke and Jo Hightower; and loving cousins, Shirley Hightower, Gary Hightower, Fred Swenke and Benny Hutchinson. Loved ones left behind to cherish her memory are her loving husband, Phil Trussell of the home; two sons, Bret S. Hake of Muskogee, OK, and Derek G. Hake and wife Gail of Muskogee, OK; and one daughter, her Starr, Jami S. Anderson and her companion, Joseph Chaffin, of Muskogee, OK.; her 6 loving grandchildren, Candise M. Noon and her husband Dave of Okmulgee, OK., Michael A. Hake of Muskogee, OK, Kara M. Hake of Bentonville, AR, Alexander S. Hake of Rimrock, AZ, Lakota S. Miller of Braggs, OK, Gavin C. Hake of Muskogee, OK, and Maureen E. Hake of Philippines; two great granddaughters, Auhstin M. Hake of Siloam Springs, AR and Sarah H. Hake of Arizona; and four great grandsons, Gauge Hake, Shelby Cline Hake both of Siloam Springs, AR, Derek S. Hake of Muskogee, OK and James Hake of Arizona; one dear brother, Leon W. Hightower and wife Rebecca of Weatherford, OK; four nephews, Dr. Lance W. Hightower and wife Sue of Tulsa, OK. and their children, Raelee and Sterling, Laird W. Hightower and wife Krista and their children, Nadia and Maverick of Frisco, TX, Layne W. Hightower and wife Sara of Geary, OK and their daughters Madison and Kaylie; nephew, Dr. Laren W. Hightower and wife Carrisa of Tulsa, OK and their sons, Walker and Josh. Sarah also leaves behind one stepson, Lt. Col. Michael Anderson, USMC and wife Christine and their children, Tara and Isaac of Hawaii; stepdaughter, Ashley Henry and husband Mike and their daughters, Haidyn and Landan; stepson-in-law, Trapper McDaniel and daughter, Ashlyn; beloved sisters-in-law, Linda Jones and husband Jerry of Tulsa, OK, Anna Kay Webster and husband Phil of Crowder, OK., and Cecile M. Jan of Sand Springs, OK. Sarah shared a relationship of love with so many of the Trussell Family including the families in Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. She helped Phil find relatives he never knew he had. All that he knew was from Alabama. They found approximately 300 relatives, and the Southern Trussells extended their welcome and love to Phil and Sarah. They attended the annual Trussell reunion in Alabama and Georgia as often as possible. Sarah kept close contact with several Trussell cousins. She shared a deep and everlasting love with Lucille (Lucy) Trussell-Chumley of Alabama. She also leaves several loving Trussell cousins, numerous Trussell nieces and nephews, and many good friends. Sarah was very close to many of her cousins, they were like sisters and brothers. Since childhood, cousins, Bonnie Swenke-Peters of Tulsa, OK., Kathy Swenke-Hutchinson of Braggs, OK., and Sarah were like the three musketeers. She was close to other cousins, Sandy Swenke-Dishman of Braggs, OK., Becky Swenke-Childress of Tulsa, OK., Melody Coniglio-Fogelson of Gilbert, AZ., Pam Swenke-Holman of Fletcher, OK., Sharon Swenke-Klingaman of Stillwater, OK., and several more cousins. The Hightower family was raised with so much love; it spreads from generation to generation. Her cousin’s children will always remember her as their Aunt Sally. If anyone would like to make a donation, please give in Sarah's name, to the American Heart Association, 10900-B Stonelake Blvd., Suite 320, Austin, TX 78759 or online at www.heart.org. or the American Lung Association in Oklahoma, 730 W. Wilshire Blvd, Suite 105, Oklahoma City, OK 73116, or online at www.lung.org. The family will receive friends from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Monday, February 27, 2017 at Cornerstone Funeral Home. Funeral services honoring Sarah’s life will be at 12:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at Cornerstone Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Bill Crow officiating. Interment will follow at Fort Gibson National Cemetery. Sarah wanted to be buried near her mother and father at Fort Gibson National Cemetery and she will receive that privilege. Pallbearers will be Dr. Lance W. Hightower, Laird W. Hightower, Layne W. Hightower, Dr. Laren W. Hightower, Michael A. Hake, Lakota Miller, and Gavin Hake. Honorary pallbearers will be Eva White, Debbie Richerson, Steve Bacon, Shane Frix, Jim Hunzeker, Dan Chaffin, Larry Chapman, Joey Chaffin, Kevin Dishman, and Charlie Ayers.

Sarah L Trussell

July 28, 1943 - February 22, 2017