Service for Donnie Lewis Armbrister will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, June 2, 2017 at The House of Prayer Holiness Church at 920 S. Lynn Lane Road, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74108. Burial will follow at Ross Mayes Cemetery in Salina. Friends may visit at the funeral home on Thursday, June 1, from 1--8 pm, with family receiving visitors from 6--8 pm. Lewis passed away at his home on Tuesday, May 30, 2017. He was 79.
Born February 28, 1938, in a chicken house near Atoka, Oklahoma to Arlie L. and Iona Irene (Comstock) Armbrister, Lewis attended schools at Verdigris and Claremore. His family worked as sharecroppers and moved to where work was. They eventually settled in Claremore, and this has been home since.
Lewis worked for Patterson Steel as a superintendent for a time, before opening his own fence company. On October 4, 1963, he married Patricia Ann Attaway and together they raised their family here in Claremore.
A man of faith, Lewis served the Lord and witnessed to others through the example of his grace and love. He was a member of The House of Prayer Holiness Church, and served as deacon for many years. Lewis loved his family, especially those grandchildren, whom he adored. His love and care for them showed in all aspects of his life. Lewis had many hobbies, which included working on tractors, farming, raising goats, and fishing. Anything that kept him outside and with nature made him happy.
Those family members that survive include his wife Patricia of their home; his children Jeff Armbrister and wife Karen of Claremore, Pam Armbrister of Tulsa, and Chet Armbrister and wife Jackie, also of Claremore; his grandchildren Luke Armbrister and wife Keysha, Samantha Matthews and husband Keith, Celeste Osborne and husband Ethan, Alesha Dorsey and husband Joe, and Jessica Taylor; his great-grandchildren Chevy Matthews, Gunnar Osborne, Rowdy Osborne, Oakley Matthews, Scout Osborne and Jett Dorsey; his sister Faye Ellick and husband Charles; sisters-in-law Pat Armbrister, Elizabeth Armbrister, Billy Armbrister and Naomi McClain and husband Bill; brothers-in-law Don Attaway and wife Bea, and L.A. Attaway and wife Delories.
Lewis was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings Fern Medina, Claud Armbrister, George Armbrister, Ham Armbrister, Wayne Armbrister, Ada Jarman, Irene "Sis" Scott, and Bonnie Anderson.
Please view and sign Lewis' online tribute at
www.mmsfuneralhomes.com