Velma Jean Eads

Velma “Jean” Eads, a beloved Mother, Granny, wife, sister and friend was born on September 22, 1941, and passed away to be with our Lord on March 15, 2025 at the age of 83. She was a very special and loving Granny to her family and friends they brought to her home. She loved her family greatly and would always prioritize their needs over her own.

By her own example she taught us how to love, work hard, and to always do our best while instilling a love of learning and a desire for education. She obtained her cosmetology degree from Fullerton Junior College in California after graduating from Cave Springs High School in 1960. She returned to Oklahoma and married Emmett Eads, Jr in December of 1965. Jean went on to complete her Bachelor of Elementary Education and Home Economics degrees from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah and it was at NSU where she later obtained a master’s degree while teaching full time and raising her family.

She was a teacher for 35 years, beginning in Virginia, then Greasy Elementary, finally retiring from Maryetta in Stilwell. She would fondly recall her students in many conversations over the years. She loved working in the house and outside on their farm doing chores, including mowing, gardening, building fences, feeding cows, clearing land, and riding horses. Her proudest moments were always her family, and she was ever ready to share in their next adventure.

She loved the Lord and read her bible daily. She would often say “the Lord has a reason for me being here” and “remember me in your prayers’, or “pray for me”. She enjoyed attending Chuculate Baptist Church and her favorite song was Amazing Grace sung in both Cherokee and English.

She was proceeded in death by her husband of 55 years, Emmett Eads, Jr., her parents Hurshel & Georgia Ruth Cochran Worley, her grandparents William “Bill” & Eva Cochran, and Amos & Hannah Stacey Worley.

Jean is survived by her sons, David Eads and wife Joni of Bunch, Oklahoma; Kevin Eads and wife LaDena of Shattuck, Oklahoma; Grandchildren, Shane Eads and wife Julie of VanBuren, Arkansas; Shaye Bread and husband Chuck of Tahlequah, Oklahoma; Chad Eads of Fayetteville, Arkansas; Hunter Eads of Woodward, Oklahoma; Great Grandchildren Emma Doublehead, Cloie Coombes, Stonewall Jackson Coombes, Finley Eads, Krue Eads, Lottie Eads, Carson Goodwin, Canyon Eads, Addy Bread, Jordan Bread, Bella Bread, Lexli Carter, and Kasen Carter. Her siblings Carolyn Denny and husband Udell, Darrel Worley and Wife Tammy, and Rhonda Pritchett and husband Haste, as well as many nieces, nephews, friends and all the students she had the privilege of teaching.