Carolyn Blum

Lifelong Nowata resident Carolyn Ray (Keithley) Blum (75) passed from this life Monday, May 21, 2012, at Nowata Nursing Center, after battling Alzheimer's disease. She was born January 2, 1937, in Wann, Oklahoma to Earl and Juanita (Reed) Keithley. Carolyn graduated from Nowata High School in 1955 and continued her education at Oklahoma A&M in Stillwater, Oklahoma. On April 28, 1956 she married Bob Blum in Nowata and was married to him for 30 years. She was the bookkeeper at Bob's Phillips 66 and DX service stations here in Nowata. Carolyn later worked for Wal-Mart for 10 years as well as working at the Hays House here in Nowata. She enjoyed politics and was proud to be a Democrat. Carolyn had many hobbies that included reading books, sewing, knitting, crocheting, and scrap booking. She was an avid OU Football and OSU Basketball fan. She also had a great love for animals. She was a member of the St. Catherine Catholic Church where she loved to worship and fellowship with her Church family. Above all the things she did and enjoyed, her family was her greatest love. She always looked forward to her children, grandchildren, and other family being with her. She cherished each and every one of them. Carolyn will be missed by all who knew her. Preceding Mrs. Blum in death are her parents, Earl Keithley and Juanita Gibson, a grandson, Keith Andrew Blum; and a daughter-in-law, Kathy Blum. Survivors include her children, Steve and wife Lily Blum, of Claremore, Mark Blum, of Tulsa, Phil and wife Gayle Blum, of San Antonio, Texas, Janet and husband Tim Foster, of Wichita, Kansas; seven grandchildren, Brian Blum, Ryan Blum, Kristen Blum, Megan Blum, Sarah Foster, Phillip Foster, and Kevin Foster; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Sandy and husband Jerome Gibson; a brother, Phil Keithley and his companion Kathy; her ex-husband and friend Bob Blum; many other relatives; and a host of friends. Rosary services for Mrs. Blum are 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 23, 2012, at St. Catherine Catholic Church with the funeral mass being held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, May 24, 2012 at St. Catherine's. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, Nowata, Oklahoma. Services are under the direction of Benjamin Funeral Service of Nowata. The family suggests donations to the 10-33 wheelchair van, 321 E. Cherokee, Nowata, Oklahoma, 74048. Online Condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com

Visitation Details

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012 9:00am - 9:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012 8:00am - 5:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home

Service Details

Thursday, May 24th, 2012 2:00pm, St. Catherine Catholic Church

Interment Details

Nowata Memorial Park Cemetery