Leona Nanny Carroll

Leona Nanny Carroll after 106 active years passed on Wednesday in Caney, KS. She had previously lived in Bartlesville to be near family and traveled as far as California where she found work and love. Leona Nanny Brink was born on October 28, 1910, the second child of George Franklin and Effie Olinda (Codding) Brink at Glenoak, OK. Her parents were engaged in ranching and within two years, the family moved north of Wann, OK, to the Letson Ranch where her dad was foreman. After some time, they moved from the ranch to live in Wann where her dad operated a paraffin distillation plant and worked other jobs. After Leona graduated high school at Wann in 1929, she worked in housekeeping for a wealthy family in Cedar Vale, KS, for about four years. Leona was then united in marriage with Cecil Phillip Fitzsimmons. The couple lived and worked on the Fitzsimmons’ family farm north of Wann. They raised crops, cattle, hogs, sheep and her favorite was chickens. From this union, there were three children: one girl Mary Elizabeth passed in infancy, one adopted girl Cecilia Ann died of pneumonia; and one boy Phillip Joe was raised and treasured to maturity. Leona and Cecil divorced but Leona remained on the farm and worked there till 1956 when she left to move to California for better pay as a silk finisher in the dry-cleaning business. While in “The Golden State,” Leona fell in love and married fellow Okie Charles C. Carroll. They had nearly 25 years of marriage, first in California and then returned to Ardmore, OK, where Charles was raised. Charles preceded her in death on Feb. 1, 1988. Leona remained in Ardmore for a time before moving to Bartlesville to be near her family. Leona loved her home and happily kept her house, yard, neighbors and family in line to the best of her ability. Her many friends and family in Bartlesville were a great help as she grew older. Eventually, her failing eyesight, hearing and other health issues caused the then-104-year-old Leona to need to go to Guest Home Estates at Caney, KS, in March of 2014. Her family gratefully acknowledges Leona’s friends who brought joy to her years and years to her life: Ray Brink, Marsha Greenland, Renae Barnett, Tim Fitzsimmons, Roland Doane, Leota Fitzsimmons, Larry Michaels, Lisa, Scott and Lynn Bolden, Jeanette and Barry Bolden, and David (her postman) and Sharon Shannon. Leona is survived by her only son Phillip Joe Fitzsimmons Sr.; five grandchildren from Phillip and Teddies: Marsha, Phillip Jr., Renae, Daniel, and Timothy; two grandchildren from Phillip and Leota: Lawrence and Sydney; 22 great grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and a host of extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband Cecil Phillip Fitzsimmons; husband Charles C. Carroll; two daughters Mary Elizabeth and Cecilia Ann; and two daughters-in-law Esther Theodoria Fitzsimmons and Leota Faye Fitzsimmons. Leona’s family will receive friends at the Davis Family Funeral Home, 918-534-3030, 113 S. Osage (Hwy. 75), Dewey, on Monday, Nov. 28, from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, at Dewey First Christian Church, Pastor Casey Parham officiating. Interment to follow in the Robbins Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Carter Davis and the Davis Family Funeral Home. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared with Leona’s family at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.

Leona Nanny Carroll

October 28, 1910 - November 23, 2016