Obituary for Loweta Mae Chesser
Loweta Mae Cross Chesser
1928--2024
Loweta Mae (Cross) Chesser entered this life on September 5, 1928, in Healdton, Oklahoma. She was the fifth of ten children born to the Reverend James W. and Fannie Mae (McKee) Cross
From her vast memory bank, Loweta recalled both unsettling and life-changing events from her past. For instance, at one location where her father was pastoring, the family received an unexpected visit from the Ku Klux Klan (KKK). It seems the Klan disapproved of the Pentecostal doctrine being preached by Pastor Cross. One day, when he was away holding a revival in a nearby town, the Klan proceeded to erect and burn a cross in their front yard. Instead of panicking, Fannie gathered her brood around her, sat on the living room floor, and prayed. The Klan members soon dispersed. Their strategy was to frighten the family, which they managed to do quite well.
Loweta remembered her maternal grandfather with fondness. Samuel McKee had a profound influence on her life. She recalled how her Grandpa McKee would carry her with him to his prayer place near a spring, set her on a rock, where she sat quietly as he prayed. This became a treasured memory for her and helped shape the rest of her life. Sam McKee was the only true grandparent she ever knew, and she thanked God for him.
Even as a child, Loweta knew she had a talent for drawing. Any piece of scrap paper became her canvas. If a crayon appeared in the house, she used it to add color to her drawings, and she imagined herself becoming a renowned artist one day. She loved to tell stories and would draw pictures in the sand to illustrate the tales she told to her younger siblings.
Loweta remembers her life being centered around church and the family moving from place to place to assume new pastorates and areas of ministry. Her papa pastored a number of churches and the entire family was involved in the pastoral work. "I heard the gospel preached, and I saw it lived, thus forming my life," she recalled.
Loweta married Cecil R. Chesser, Sr., on June 23, 1946, in Quanah, Texas. They raised two sons, Cecil R. (Cap) Chesser, Jr., and Dr. Ronald K. Chesser. Cap Chesser preceded her in death on July 20, 2023.
After completing his advanced studies at Southwestern State College in Weatherford, Cecil's role as an educator and coach took the family from Cowden, Oklahoma, where he and Loweta had co-pastored a small congregation. They relocated to Centerview and Asher before moving to Altus in 1958. Cecil taught in the Altus school system and finally became the academic dean at Western Oklahoma State College. He passed away on December 13, 2002.
In 1970, Loweta applied for and was hired by the state as the first curator of the Museum of the Western Prairie in Altus. After having served 24 years in that role, she retired in 1994.
From hair dresser to museum curator to professional artist, each of Loweta's assignments was performed with excellence. Her art is known and appreciated across the Southwestern region of the state. And her talent as a vocalist is remembered as a blessing in her home church, First Baptist of Altus. The Altus Times honored her in March of 1987 by naming Loweta Chesser "Woman of the Year."
Loweta Chesser received her eternal reward on July 26, 2024, at the age of 95. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband of 56 years, Cecil R. Chesser, Sr.; her son, Cecil R. (Cap) Chesser, Jr.; eight of her nine siblings and their spouses: Charles Samuel Cross; Louise Crawford (Orville); Odis O. Cross (Lavern); Juanita Fern Kelley (Enex/Murvin); Rev. James A. Cross (Imogene/Lois); Aritena Nance (Bob); Euin T. Cross; and Lametha Zachary (Kenneth). She was also preceeded in death by a special friend Mr. T.L. Gramling.
She is survived by her son, Dr. Ronald K. Chesser and his wife, Linda; four grandchildren: Mandy Pasdon, Paul Chesser, Christie Krugh, and Nick Chesser, and three great grandchildren; one sister, Shirley G. Spencer and her husband Dewayne. She leaves behind several nieces and nephews and a host of friends across the state of Oklahoma. A special thank you to Loweta's caregivers Paula Vasquez, Nancy Hernandez, and Liz Ditmore for years of dedicated faithful service.
The Chesser family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday July 30, 2024 at Lowell - Tims Funeral Home, Altus, Oklahoma.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at Lowell - Tims Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow at Altus City Cemetery, Altus, Oklahoma.
Funeral services have been entrusted to Lowell - Tims Funeral Home and Crematory, Altus, Oklahoma.
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1928--2024
Loweta Mae (Cross) Chesser entered this life on September 5, 1928, in Healdton, Oklahoma. She was the fifth of ten children born to the Reverend James W. and Fannie Mae (McKee) Cross
From her vast memory bank, Loweta recalled both unsettling and life-changing events from her past. For instance, at one location where her father was pastoring, the family received an unexpected visit from the Ku Klux Klan (KKK). It seems the Klan disapproved of the Pentecostal doctrine being preached by Pastor Cross. One day, when he was away holding a revival in a nearby town, the Klan proceeded to erect and burn a cross in their front yard. Instead of panicking, Fannie gathered her brood around her, sat on the living room floor, and prayed. The Klan members soon dispersed. Their strategy was to frighten the family, which they managed to do quite well.
Loweta remembered her maternal grandfather with fondness. Samuel McKee had a profound influence on her life. She recalled how her Grandpa McKee would carry her with him to his prayer place near a spring, set her on a rock, where she sat quietly as he prayed. This became a treasured memory for her and helped shape the rest of her life. Sam McKee was the only true grandparent she ever knew, and she thanked God for him.
Even as a child, Loweta knew she had a talent for drawing. Any piece of scrap paper became her canvas. If a crayon appeared in the house, she used it to add color to her drawings, and she imagined herself becoming a renowned artist one day. She loved to tell stories and would draw pictures in the sand to illustrate the tales she told to her younger siblings.
Loweta remembers her life being centered around church and the family moving from place to place to assume new pastorates and areas of ministry. Her papa pastored a number of churches and the entire family was involved in the pastoral work. "I heard the gospel preached, and I saw it lived, thus forming my life," she recalled.
Loweta married Cecil R. Chesser, Sr., on June 23, 1946, in Quanah, Texas. They raised two sons, Cecil R. (Cap) Chesser, Jr., and Dr. Ronald K. Chesser. Cap Chesser preceded her in death on July 20, 2023.
After completing his advanced studies at Southwestern State College in Weatherford, Cecil's role as an educator and coach took the family from Cowden, Oklahoma, where he and Loweta had co-pastored a small congregation. They relocated to Centerview and Asher before moving to Altus in 1958. Cecil taught in the Altus school system and finally became the academic dean at Western Oklahoma State College. He passed away on December 13, 2002.
In 1970, Loweta applied for and was hired by the state as the first curator of the Museum of the Western Prairie in Altus. After having served 24 years in that role, she retired in 1994.
From hair dresser to museum curator to professional artist, each of Loweta's assignments was performed with excellence. Her art is known and appreciated across the Southwestern region of the state. And her talent as a vocalist is remembered as a blessing in her home church, First Baptist of Altus. The Altus Times honored her in March of 1987 by naming Loweta Chesser "Woman of the Year."
Loweta Chesser received her eternal reward on July 26, 2024, at the age of 95. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband of 56 years, Cecil R. Chesser, Sr.; her son, Cecil R. (Cap) Chesser, Jr.; eight of her nine siblings and their spouses: Charles Samuel Cross; Louise Crawford (Orville); Odis O. Cross (Lavern); Juanita Fern Kelley (Enex/Murvin); Rev. James A. Cross (Imogene/Lois); Aritena Nance (Bob); Euin T. Cross; and Lametha Zachary (Kenneth). She was also preceeded in death by a special friend Mr. T.L. Gramling.
She is survived by her son, Dr. Ronald K. Chesser and his wife, Linda; four grandchildren: Mandy Pasdon, Paul Chesser, Christie Krugh, and Nick Chesser, and three great grandchildren; one sister, Shirley G. Spencer and her husband Dewayne. She leaves behind several nieces and nephews and a host of friends across the state of Oklahoma. A special thank you to Loweta's caregivers Paula Vasquez, Nancy Hernandez, and Liz Ditmore for years of dedicated faithful service.
The Chesser family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday July 30, 2024 at Lowell - Tims Funeral Home, Altus, Oklahoma.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at Lowell - Tims Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow at Altus City Cemetery, Altus, Oklahoma.
Funeral services have been entrusted to Lowell - Tims Funeral Home and Crematory, Altus, Oklahoma.
To send flowers in memory of Loweta Mae Chesser, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Tuesday
30
Jul
6:00 PM
- 8:00 PM
Lowell-Tims Chapel
1100 East Tamarack Road
Altus, OK 73521
Funeral
Wednesday
31
Jul
2:00 PM
Lowell-Tims Chapel
1100 East Tamarack Road
Altus, OK 73521
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