Luther Lee Shoals

God has smiled on me and set me free.

Luther Lee Shoals was born on July 21, 1922 in Okmulgee, OK to the late Ned Shoals and Alpha Cottrell-Shoals.  Luther grew up on the family farm in Idabel, OK with his parents, three brothers, and two sisters.  He departed this life August 9, 2017.  Luther's parents, three brothers, one sister, and two sons preceded him in death.

Luther accepted Christ at an early age.  He joined the Macedonia Baptist Church where he served as Sunday School Superintendent for many years.

He graduated from Slater Rosenwald High School in Idabel, OK.  In August of 1943, Luther was drafted into the Coast Guard as a seaman.  His ship was stationed in the South Pacific.  He's a WWII Veteran, and received an honorable discharge from the Coast Guard January, 1946.  He was a member of the first integrated branch of the service.

In 1946, Luther met and married Lois Scott in Fresno, CA.  After his father's death, he moved back to Idabel and took over the family farm.  He was a successful farmer and rancher for fifty years.  He raised eight children, and they all received a higher education.  In 1956, he began working for the Idabel School System where he drove the school bus for 27 years and retired in 1985.

Luther loved talking to people and never met a stranger.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and raised catfish in ponds on his farm for many years. He loved sports, especially football and basketball.  After losing his eye sight, Luther continued to listen to the games, either on television or radio.  He loved listening to music, especially Al Green and Michael Jackson; and, he also loved listening to his talking bible; day and night, stating that it gave him peace.  And, he loved gardening and raising fruit trees.

It was the family's tradition to return home every July 4 ^th and Thanksgiving for a large family gathering and feast. He looked forward to those holidays that would bring all of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren home.

Luther leaves to cherish his memories one sister: Dorothy Davis of Temple Hill, MD;  four daughters, Donna F. Givens of Dallas, TX, Gwendolyn G. Mainor (Clarence) of Memphis, TN, Delois Holloman (Victor) of Houston, TX, and Linda R. Shoals of Oklahoma City, OK; three sons, Lonnell Shoals of Dallas, TX, Larry G. Shoals (Lucy) of Oklahoma City, OK, and Luther L. Shoals Jr. of Dallas, TX; thirteen grandchildren, Henry Jones III (Gail) of Houston, TX, Sondra Myles of Dallas, TX, Frandelind Traylor (Michael) of Oklahoma City, OK, Tammy Shoals of Broken Bow, OK, Terika Knight of Bellflower, CA, Roderick Elston of Memphis, TN, Odell Shoals Jr. of Oklahoma City, OK,  Gregory Jones of Houston, TX, Lonnie Shoals of Dallas, TX, Anthony Shoals (Keythong) of Dallas, TX, Luther L. Shoals III of Oklahoma City, OK, Edreon Shoals of Oklahoma City, OK, and Ella Shoals of Oklahoma City, OK. Also, seventeen great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.