Retha Bernice Farmer entered her heavenly home on Friday, August 30, 2024, at the age of 96. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Mobley-Groesbeck Funeral Service of Sand Springs. A memorial service celebrating Retha's life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, September 14, at Trinity Baptist Church, with Pastor Nathan Brumley of First Baptist Church of Glenpool officiating.

Retha was born on November 13, 1927, in Lamont, Kansas, to Frank Warren Peres and Emma (Kellenberger) Peres. Growing up in Lamont, Retha developed a love for music, especially the guitar, and often played at local barn dances and honky tonks. She won a contest to sing and play guitar on a local radio station, dreaming of one day becoming a country western singer.

Retha married Nelson Joseph Farmer, and together they built a life filled with love and service. A devoted homemaker and mother, Retha was known for her incredible skills as a seamstress, creating many wedding cakes and dresses over the years. She babysat countless children, always generous with her time and resources, regularly donating to St. Jude's and sharing her blessings with others.

A woman of many talents, Retha enjoyed making crafts, ceramics, woodworking, and quilting. She was an active member of the Trinity Baptist Church quilting group, where she shared her skills and fellowship. Her artistic talents extended to painting, and her green thumb was evident in her beautiful garden. She was a gifted cook, and her delicious cakes were a family favorite, with meals always enjoyed together at the table.

Retha was deeply involved in her church community, singing in the choirs at Trinity Baptist Church and Angus Baptist Church, teaching Sunday school to Kindergarteners, and volunteering at Green Tree Assisted Living and Memory Care. She also played in the Green Tree hand bell choir, affectionately known as "The Ding-a-lings," and often encouraged others to sing along as she played the harmonica.

Her life was a testament to her strong faith in Jesus Christ. Everything she did was rooted in her love for Him, and she was always ready with a kind word, pointing others to the Savior and planting seeds of faith in young minds.

Retha is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Nelson Joseph Farmer; her parents; and her brothers, Warren, Wayne, and Orvil Peres. She is survived by her children: Mary Scott and husband, Terry of Tulsa, Becky Hughes and husband, Ken of Glenpool, Jerry Farmer and wife, Vena of Sapulpa, and Richard Farmer and wife, Dimita of Sand Springs. She also leaves behind her sisters, Wilma Williams of Burlington, KS, and Wilda Williams of Leroy, KS; grandchildren: Tina Roach, Patrick West, Nelson West, Shawn Scott, Shelli Hingey, Jeremy Farmer, Diana Goodwin, Devin Farmer, and Natosha Wallin; and great-grandchildren: Warren "Bo," Lauren, Haley, Dakota, Alyssa, Andrew, Nicholas, Tristan, Isaac, Lovinya, Jaxton, Carston, Aria, Zoe, Deuce, Trey, and Benjamin.

Retha's life was one of love, service, and unwavering faith, and she leaves behind a legacy of kindness and generosity that will continue to inspire all who knew her.

Leave your memories of Retha and view her tribute online at www.mogro.co.