Johnnie Mae Box-Needham, was born July 3, 1933 to Mary (Workman) Box and Roy Box. At the age of 15, she married Earl Ray Needham and began the first part of her life. They borrowed $30.00 and went to Denison, Texas to get married and then started farming in the Caney, OK area. The couple was able to move back "home" to Coleman, OK where they bought a grocery store. Johnnie Mae ran the store and Earl Ray started buying cattle. Then in 1962, they leased a ranch in Jumbo. Johnnie Mae raked hay, fed cattle, cooked and cleaned, and took care of her three kids. Earl Ray and Johnnie Mae moved to Antlers in 1968 and later bought the Antlers Livestock Auction with Ray Tucker. On September 30, 1977, Earl Ray passed away and Johnnie Mae began the second part of her life. She began working as a secretary for the Pushmataha County Commissioners and retired from that job in 2010 after 34 years. Johnnie Mae loved working at the courthouse and all of her work family. She was particularly proud of the special friendship she formed with Margie Mills over the 18 years they worked together and with Kristi Gee who became like a second daughter. Johnnie Mae also had a loving relationship with Donnie Hammons. They would attend their grandchildren's activities, go dancing, and have cook-outs with close friends Jannette Wilson and Estelene Hughes. Johnnie Mae especially loved going to watch her grandchildren play basketball. Johnnie Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Ray, her mother, Mary Box, her son, Donnie Ray, and her sister, Ella King, and niece, Gayle Cook.
Johnnie Mae Box-Needham, was born July 3, 1933 to Mary (Workman) Box and Roy Box. At the age of 15, she married Earl Ray Needham and began the first part of her life. They borrowed $30.00 and went to Denison, Texas to get married and then started farming in the Caney, OK area. The couple was able to move back "home" to Coleman, OK where they bought a grocery store. Johnnie Mae ran the store and Earl Ray started buying cattle. Then in 1962, they leased a ranch in Jumbo. Johnnie Mae raked hay, fed cattle, cooked and cleaned, and took care of her three kids. Earl Ray and Johnnie Mae moved to Antlers in 1968 and later bought the Antlers Livestock Auction with Ray Tucker. On September 30, 1977, Earl Ray passed away and Johnnie Mae began the second part of her life. She began working as a secretary for the Pushmataha County Commissioners and retired from that job in 2010 after 34 years. Johnnie Mae loved working at the courthouse and all of her work family. She was particularly proud of the special friendship she formed with Margie Mills over the 18 years they worked together and with Kristi Gee who became like a second daughter. Johnnie Mae also had a loving relationship with Donnie Hammons. They would attend their grandchildren's activities, go dancing, and have cook-outs with close friends Jannette Wilson and Estelene Hughes. Johnnie Mae especially loved going to watch her grandchildren play basketball. Johnnie Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Ray, her mother, Mary Box, her son, Donnie Ray, and her sister, Ella King, and niece, Gayle Cook.
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