Rita Inez (O'Bannon) Deal

Rita Inez Deal was born on February 18, 1937 to her parents, Robbye (Collie) and Earl O’Bannon in Slim, Oklahoma. Inez, as she was affectionately called for most of her life, grew up in the rural area north of Valiant, Oklahoma, in the southeast corner of the state. She played in the fields and creeks growing up, but learned to cook meals for the growing family at 8 years of age, as she had six more younger siblings in a quickly growing family. Inez attended the Mound Grove one-room school house from grades 1-8 and was taught by her aunt as one of her teachers. As high school came around, she attended Valiant High School for one year; she sang in the chorus, then the family moved to Eldorado, Oklahoma, across the state. Inez continued her love for singing in the chorus and did act in the senior play, but she was too shy to do much else—something that she regretted years later and encouraged her daughter not to be. She graduated from high school in 1955. Soon after, she had one last sibling added to her family.

 From 1955 to the early 1960’s she had several jobs and those led her to Arnett, Oklahoma, another corner of the state, where she worked at Vincent Chevrolet and ran the movie theatre for many years. She used her talents as a bookkeeper at Vincent’s for years and genuinely loved the job, plus she got to interact with many kids and watched them grow up by running the theatre. It was through her work at Vincent’s that she met the love of her life, Bill Deal.

Inez and Bill were married on April 28, 1967. To this union one child was born, Lisa La Nae. Inez and Bill supported Lisa in all her endeavors throughout her school years, but one thing Inez made sure of was that Lisa took piano lessons so that she would learn to play the piano and read music. She also followed all of Lisa’s sports in school. After Lisa graduated, Inez was there to support her in all her events, including when she hosted two exchange students from other countries—Inez treated both girls as if they were her own. She loved them very much. Inez was very proud of her daughter and bragged on her every chance she got, even when it embarrassed Lisa.

 Inez stayed at home with Lisa until she was in 3rd grade, then Inez went back to work at Shattuck Auto Supply for Harry Erick. Later, Harry sold the store to Curtis Pshigoda and Inez was just sold with the store—she liked to joke. Through working at the store, she watched both Blane and Scott Pshigoda grow up. She dearly loved those boys. Inez retired from working with Curtis in 2015; she’d worked a very long time. She deserved a break.

When Inez wasn’t working, she was often playing music for many of the rest homes around the area. She regularly played in Shattuck, Vici, Mooreland, and Woodward. Playing her music kept her young and made her happy to give back to those who couldn’t do things like that for themselves anymore. Inez couldn’t read music, but she played the piano like nobody’s business. She could also play the guitar, the mandolin, a little fiddle if she tried, and she could sing alto like a queen.

In 2016, Lisa moved Inez to Dodge City to be closer to her after Inez had suffered some illness. The move was hard on Inez, but she tried to make the best of it. She lived in Trinity Nursing Home and she made a few friends there. However, she was diagnosed with dementia in 2017. Although she forgot many things, she never forgot Lisa or her many dogs that she would bring to visit. The dogs gave her such joy.

After a sudden illness, Inez passed away on May 27 with Lisa by her bedside. She was reunited with Bill and her other family in heaven. She is no more in pain and her mind is whole.

Inez was preceeded in death by her parents; her husband, Bill; one brother, Ronald; one sister, Terry. She is survived by her daughter, Lisa of Dodge City; a brother, Buddy O’Bannon (Carolyn) of Belton, TX; a sister, Beulah Birdsong (Mel) of Vilonia, AR; a sister, Carol Dills (James) of Montesano, WA; a sister, Nancy Allen (Don) of St. Joe, AR; two exchange granddaughters, Marieke Miekele of Graben, Germany and Tinka Valtl of Maribor, Slovenia. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews and many friends.