Margaret Carolyn (Black) Bane

Margaret Carolyn Bane, 88, of Sallisaw, passed away in Fort Smith, Ark., on May 20, 2018. Mrs. Bane was born in Fort Smith on April 14, 1930, the daughter of Emma (Stevenson) Black and Leon Black. She married William (Bill) Bane of Sallisaw on April 24, 1954, and they were blessed with 63 wonderful years of marriage. Before she was married, she was a social worker with the Department of Human Services, but her real vocation was as a homemaker and family matriarch.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her sister, Emily Mellon; and a grandson, William Raymond Leasure. She is survived by daughter Rebecca Leasure and husband Ray of Fort Smith; daughter Sarah Bane of Sallisaw; son Doug Bane and wife Vicki of Sallisaw; and grandchildren Grace Bane and James Bane. Knowing and spending time with her grandchildren was one of the great joys of Margaret’s life.

After graduating from Sallisaw High School, Margaret attended Oklahoma City University for a year as a piano major before transferring to the University of Oklahoma where she graduated in 1952. She was a gifted pianist; her piano teacher told her that she had a “remarkable understanding of Beethoven.” She used her gifts by serving in church music for seventy years, singing, accompanying, and directing adult and youth choirs as needed. As her health declined and her voice weakened, she announced her intention to “sing my way through the Pearly Gates.”

She grew up in First United Methodist Church of Sallisaw and was a long-time member of Vian United
Methodist Church. In recent months, when she decided to give up driving, she enjoyed special times on Sundays having her granddaughter drive her to First Baptist Church of Gore, where she became part of another church family.

Margaret served others besides her church and her family. She was a member of Sequoyah County Farm Bureau and remained active in the Women’s Leadership Committee as long as her health would allow. In 1970, when no services were available locally, she started a school called Opportunity One for Sequoyah County children with intellectual disabilities.

Through several major illnesses Margaret never lost her faith or her optimism. She knew that she was in God’s hands and often said “God has gone before me every step of the way.” She exuded a confidence that all would be well.
The family especially appreciates the care Margaret received over the past three weeks from the staff of 6th floor west at Sparks Regional Medical Center and Peachtree Hospice Palliative Care Unit.

Arrangements are entrusted to Agent & Mallory Martin Funeral Home in Sallisaw. Funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 23, at First Baptist Church of Gore, with the Rev. Doug Bane preaching. A graveside service will follow at Sallisaw City Cemetery. The family will visit at the funeral home on Tuesday, May 22, from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Arkansas Children’s Hospital or to the Baptist Children’s Home in Owasso, Okla.

Active Pallbearers are Brian Lee, Rafe Leflore, Devin Guthrie, Justin Haywood, Danny Drake, and Steve Drake.

Honorary Pallbearers are Seymour Drake, Fred Beck, Terry Guthrie, Benny Hight, Dr. Tommy McCreight, Darren Guthrie, Stafford Drake, Dr. Macon Landers, Tom Cox, Winfred Brown, Roger Stites, Bill Stites, Jarod Vinson, and Pete Bennett.