Phyllis Jo Nine

Phyllis Jo Bockelman Nine was born November 12, 1927. She was 91 years old. She was born at home on a farm a few miles southeast of Slapout, Oklahoma. Her parents were Johnny Bockelman and Edna Lena (Calaham) Bockelman. She had 2 sisters, Miriam Anne Colbert and Brenda McDaniel. Phyllis lived her whole life 2 ½ miles from where she was born, except for the 2 years she attended Oklahoma State University. She went to college a year then taught one year then back to college another year then taught another year. Phyllis herded hogs for her dad for a nickel a day.

Phyllis married Bernard Nine on May 2^nd, 1948 and lived on a ranch 2 south and 1 east of Slapout. Phyllis was a wife, a hired hand, a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She always put others first. A fond memory was going to Woodward shopping then we were always having to hurry so Bernard wouldn’t think we were running too late. Most times we would get baloney to eat on the way home. Sometimes we would buy mayonnaise and use the heel of the bread for a knife but if we didn’t get mayonnaise Mom would hiccup all the way home. Mom loved sports. She bowled, played softball and loved to sew. She liked to walk, shop, and talk. She said the Lord is number one. Her favorite memory as a child was when she got a bike for Christmas as the family didn’t have much money. Pop and candy were a rare treat. Mom was the truck driver until the kids got big enough and the cook and a very good one, and the chauffer. And she even sat on the boar hogs that were very large so Bernard could castrate them to hopefully make 50 cents per head. Then run in to take a shower and look and act like a lady. Mom never liked trouble and always worked both sides if there was ever friction in the family to keep peace.

Her caregivers were her Angels. Laura, Noemi, Rebeca and Jesse. Her caregivers were amazed Mom would still ask for her makeup the last few days of her life. Two of the granddaughters were visiting a week ago and when they left, she said “see you in Heaven.”

She was Salutatorian of her high school class. She was also awarded the Golden Thimble Award and was Beaver County Homemaker of the Year.

Bernard and Phyllis attended all their grandkids and even great grandkids events. The 2 of them were always on the go. Dad and Mom’s greatest wish was for all the family to be Christians. Church was very important to both of them.  Preceding her in death was her husband, Bernard, her parents Johnny and Lena Bockelman, a sister, Miriam Colbert, and a granddaughter, Hallie Ann Nine. Survived by 4 children, Sandra Mills, Hal Nine, Jerry Nine, Tammy Stotts and spouses, 11 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.