Graveside Funeral Services for Ernestine “Ernie” Cavnar, 91, of Purcell will be held Friday, May 29, 2020 at Hillside Cemetery in Purcell. The service will be livestreamed on the Facebook page, Wilson Little. Services will be under the direction of the Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Purcell.
Mrs. Cavnar passed away Tuesday, May 26, 2020.
She was born March 18, 1929 in Wynnewood, Okla., the only child of Ernest and Ova Jackson. Ernestine was raised in the Joy Community where she started school. She later graduated from Wynnewood High School in 1947. Ernestine attended East Central University for a time.
By chance, on a blind date, she met a young man from Purcell named Corky Cavnar. It was love at first sight and a quick courtship and they were united in marriage on August 28, 1949. They first made their home in Purcell, followed by stops in Sand Springs, Houston, Texas, and Midwest City. They eventually moved back home to Purcell and settled on the Cavnar homestead. Together they raised three children, sons, Paul and Terry and daughter, Karen.
Ernestine returned to school earning her Bachelors of Education from Central State College. She dedicated her life as an elementary school teacher, nurturing and teaching children. She started teaching at Telstar in Oklahoma City and retired from Purcell Public Schools.
When she wasn’t working, Ernestine was probably sewing, and she made and hemmed clothes for many. She enjoyed traveling, creating and attending arts and craft shows, and she shared her many talents with family and friends. For many years, she treasured adventures and companionship with her special friend, James Engdahl.
Ernestine served the Lord faithfully for many years, as a faithful member of the Purcell First Baptist Church. She volunteered in the nursery, taught Bible School, worked with the election board and volunteered for the Clothes Closet. She was the Director of the Senior Adults Sunday School Class and volunteered at Falls Creek for many years. She was the best mother and grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She will be dearly missed!
She was preceded death by her husband, Corky Cavnar; her parents, Ernest and Ova Jackson and her son-in-law, Terry Harlan.
She is survived by her sons, Paul Cavnar and wife, Vicky, of Oklahoma City and Terry Cavnar and wife, Rhonda, of Moore; her daughter, Karen Bollenbach and husband, Louis, of Purcell; four grandchildren, Jay Michael Cavnar and wife, Dawn, of Herndon, Va., Jeffrey Cavnar and wife, Suzanne, of Monett, Mo., Brandon Cavnar and wife, Becky, of Moore and Stephen Harlan and wife, Victoria, of McKinney, Texas, and seven great-grandchildren, Mackenzie, Colin, Lennon, Meredith, Grayson, Aiden and Gianna.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 665, Purcell, OK, 73080. Ernestine loved her church and its many ministries like Falls Creek Fund, Clothes Closet and Local Missions.
Online condolences may be made at wilsonlittle.com.
