Obituary for Erma Box

Funeral service for Erma Dean (Ollar) Box of Poteau is 3 p.m. Saturday at the Mt. View Baptist Church in the Glendale community with Reverend M.C. Ollar and Reverend Tim Trent officiating.

Burial will follow in Mt. View Cemetery under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener.

She was born Feb. 26, 1937 in Glendale to Marvin Edward and Lizzie Gaye (Milligan) Ollar and passed away Jan. 8, 2024 in Poteau at the age of 86.

Erma Dean was a lifelong resident of the area, a member of Mt. View Baptist Church, and a retired healthcare provider. Above all, she loved the Lord, her children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, and seemingly a world full of friends and other loved ones. If she met a stranger, she would get to the roots of their family tree immediately to determine exactly how and if she was kin to them.

She loved visiting with family and friends or anyone who had a quick hour or 2 to visit. She loved caring for others as well as caring for all of her plants and flowers. She loved riding through the rough mountain roads, fishing, and watching those feisty hummingbirds on her feeders. She will be deeply missed by so many.

Survivors are two sons Dale Pitman and wife Lisa of Bishop, California, and Darrin Pitman and wife Cathy of Poteau; one brother Ed Ollar and spouse Tess of Heavener; eight grandchildren Rochelle Wilkins and husband Sean of Joplin, Missouri, Heidi Taylor and husband Dustin of Bishop, California, Liz Pitman and spouse Minnie of West Covina, California, Dale Pitman, Jr. and spouse Daniel of Los Angeles, California, Melissa Loggains of Poteau, Shane Pitman and wife Jennifer of Poteau, Nathan Pitman of Poteau and Jerramie Pitman of Huntington Beach, California; 10 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; special friend, Dee Smith, of Heavener; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other loved ones and a host of friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Roy Kellogg; one daughter, Donna Blaylock; and two sons, David Pitman and Randell Box.

Pallbearers are Dale Pitman, Jr., Sean Wilkins, Shane Pitman, Nathan Pitman, Ronnie Ward, Michael Luman and Darrell Adams. Honorary pallbearers will be: Tommy Newcomer and Billy Watkins.

Viewing is from noon until 6 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Friday. The family will visit with friends from 6 until 8:00 p.m., Friday at the funeral home.

To sign Erma Dean’s online guestbook

visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.

author avatar
Craig Hall
Publisher and owner of Heavener Ledger and leflorecountyjournal.com