Abilene Munson, 91, of Norman, Oklahoma, passed away on Sunday, June 18, 2023. She was born to parents Arles and Golda Farris on February 11, 1932, in Alco, Arkansas.
Abilene graduated from Mountain View High School in May 1949, where she was a member of the Girls’ Basketball Team. After graduation, she began teaching elementary school students at Big Flat and Fox Public Schools in Arkansas. She went on to study Elementary Education at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Abilene worked as an Elementary School Teacher for 39 years in the Wichita Public Schools. She retired from teaching in 1991.
Abilene met the love of her life, Donald Munson, in 1956. After attending college in different states, they were married on August 5, 1966, in Wichita. They were married for 56 years until Donald’s passing in August 2022. Together, they raised one daughter, Melodi Angeline (Munson) Franklin.
Abilene loved dogs and enjoyed caring for many of them throughout her life. She was an avid shopper and garage sale enthusiast. She enjoyed playing various card games. Her favorite was the game ”31”, which she taught to both of her grandchildren. It was not uncommon for Abilene to play a quick game with them in the evening after dinner. Abilene also liked frequenting the casinos in Oklahoma, Mississippi, or in any area which she was traveling. She was an amazing storyteller; generations of the family loved to sit and listen to her many tales of childhood growing up in Arkansas and adventures in Kansas in her adulthood. She left many stories with us that speak to her infectious humor and vivacious character.
Abilene is survived by her daughter Melodi and her husband, Tim Franklin; grandchildren Autumn and Tyler Franklin; brothers Lindell ”Buster” Farris and his wife, Faye, and Danny Farris and his wife Lila, brother-in-law Herb Munson, sister-in-law Ruthie Munson, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Abilene was preceded in death by her husband Donald Munson, parents Arles and Golda Farris, brother DA Farris and his wife Mavis, and sister Wanda (Farris) Stewart and her husband Joe Al, sister-in-law Juanita Terry and her husband Frank, and brothers-in-law Bobby Joe Munson and Max Munson.
The family has entrusted Havenbrook Funeral Home in Norman, Oklahoma, and Roller-Crouch Funeral Home in Mountain View, Arkansas, with the arrangements. Funeral Services are scheduled for Saturday, June 24, at 1:00 pm at Timbo Landmark Missionary Baptist Church in Timbo, Arkansas, with Junior Barham officiating. Visitation will start one hour prior at the church. Burial will immediately follow at Timbo Cemetery.
