Oleta Roark

Oleta Mae Cox Roark, age 93 of Graham, Texas, died peacefully on July 29, 2022, in McKinney, Texas.  The funeral service will be at the First Baptist Church in Graham, Texas, on August 6, 2022, at 10 a.m under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home.  Rev. Richard Segars and Rev. Jerry Blake will officiate and interment will be at Pioneer Cemetery.

Oleta Mae Cox Roark was born on August 7, 1928, at her family home near Loving, Texas, to John Malcolm and Mable (Reeves) Cox.  She gave her life to Christ at the age of 8 years old at the Loving Baptist Church in Loving, Texas.  She went on to marry Rufus Wayne Roark on August 31, 1947, in the “old” First Baptist Church in Graham, Texas, where they first met, by the Rev. Dallas Lee.  The First Baptist Church remained a special place for them throughout their lives together as they raised a family within the Church and were lifelong members.

Oleta retired from the Hexcel Corporation after working 28 years as an accountant, but most of her time, energy, and efforts went to serving the Lord as a member of the First Baptist Church.  There, she sang in the Celebration Choir, was a Sunday School and Training Union Teacher, Departmental Director of the Fourth Grade, and a Children’s Choir Director.  However, the Adult Choir and the Ladies Ensemble, “Highest Praise,” was where she felt led to continually serve and witness for her Lord.  After she retired from Hexcel, Oleta acted as the “Tour Director” for the Adult Choir as she planned and coordinated many concerts and fellowship trips to destinations such as Branson, Missouri.

Oleta was also a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother; she loved her family deeply and passionately throughout her life.  She is survived by her son & son-in-law, Mack Roark & Larson Rose, of Brooklyn, New York; her son and daughter-in-law, Ross & Kathy Roark, of McKinney, Texas; a grandson, Hunter Roark, and a granddaughter, Harper Roark, of McKinney, Texas; a daughter-in-law, Dale Roark of Hendersonville, Tennessee; and former son-in-law & husband, Jim & Stuart Freides, of Miami, Florida.  She is survived by many brothers and sisters and their spouses: Gwen Dyrud of Laurel, Maryland; Marlene & Richard Champion of Benbrook, Texas; Maxine & Charles Tucker of Azle, Texas; Betty Frazer of McKinney, Texas; John Ben Schlittler of Rising Star, Texas; and Willard & LaDonna Schlittler of Bryson, Texas.  She is also survived by a host of precious nieces and nephews that she loved dearly.  

Oleta was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Wayne Roark; her father, John Malcolm Cox; her mothers, Mable (Reeves) Cox, Oleta (Deering) Cox, and Elmina (Caudell Schlittler) Cox; and her son, Scott Roark.

Memorials in her name can be made to the Music Ministry of the First Baptist Church, 620 4th Street, Graham, Texas, 76450, or to the charity of your choice.

Her family will receive visitors and friends at Morrison Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m., on Friday, August 5, 2022.