Alvita Francis Shimko

Alvita Francis Shimko, 64, a Dewey resident and citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, died Wednesday in her Dewey home. Alvita was born the daughter of Clarence George and Vena Mary Ellen (McKinney) Townsley on September 18, 1951, in Cushing, OK. She was raised in Council Valley just outside of Cushing and attended area schools before graduating from Cushing High School in 1970. Alvita spent the next 16 years with the Cushing police department as a dispatcher and reserve officer. While on the force she was given the nickname of Big Al due to her petite stature. A little later on in life, she finished up her bachelor’s degree in Elementary education at Oklahoma State University (OSU). She taught school in Bartlesville for several years before transferring to Tulsa Public Schools; there she entered graduate school and earned her master’s degree from OSU. Due to medical reasons she retired in 2015 and later moved to Dewey to live with her daughter Angela. Alvita loved to vacation, her favorites included cruising and taking the grandkids to Branson regularly. She became known to her grandkids as Nanna Claus because of her love for Christmas and giving wonderful presents. Alvita was an avid sports fan and she faithfully watched all OSU sports and the Oklahoma City Thunder - she was crushed by Kevin Durant’s decision to leave the Thunder. Big Al-Nana Claus had a big heart and she was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother who will be dearly missed. Alvita is survived by her two daughters, Marybeth Fields and Michael of Bartlesville, and Angela Reno and Donald of Dewey; one sister Linda Townsley of Dewey; eight grandchildren, Michael Cody Fields, Jennifer Rose Beets and Ray, Christopher Matthew Glenn and Stephanie Massa, Jacob Shawn Holt, Adam Lee Holt and Breanna, Donald Wayne Shimko, Colby Ryan Holt Fields and Matthew Wayne Fields; four great grandchildren Aaron Drew Massa Glenn, Zachary James Massa Glenn, Justin Ray Beets and Brittany Marie Beets; and her loving Pomsky Levi. She is preceded in death by her parents, and two infant sons Alvin Nathaniel Haworth and Zachary Taylor Glenn. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 26 at the First Indian Baptist Church in Cushing, OK, with Pastor Warren Pratt officiating. Interment will follow at the Fairfax Cemetery in Fairfax, OK. Services are under the direction of Carter Davis and the Davis Family Funeral Home. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared with Alvita’s family at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.

Alvita Francis Shimko

September 18, 1951 - July 20, 2016