Ernestine Gravley

On December 24, 2015, Alma Ernestine Gravley, age 97, passed away at Retama Manor Care Center in Harlingen, TX, where she had lived for several years. She was born February 4, 1918 in Pope County, Arkansas, to Joseph E. Hudlow and Mary Mullins Hudlow. She attended Belleville High School, Belleville, AR. She married Loupe H. Gravley in January 1940, with whom she had two daughters. Ernestine was last employed by the District Court in Shawnee, OK. She was a prolific writer, author of two books "Hang Onto The Willows" and "Judges of the Place of Fire," and was published in numerous papers and magazines with her feature articles, short stories and poetry. Ernestine loved books and music, and loved to dance. She was a long-time member of the National League of American Pen Women, a founding member of the Arkansas and the Oklahoma Writers groups, and taught creative writing at St. Gregory's College. Ernestine was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Shawnee and sang in its choir for many years. She was predeceased by her husband, Loupe Gravley, parents Ernie and Mary Hudlow, sister Zelta Sue Scott, granddaughter Cynthia Carol Cowan, several aunts, uncles and cousins, and cousin-by-friendship JE. (Booster) Bower. She is survived by her children: Alma (George) Van Wagner and Carol (Larry) Fugit, all of Harlingen, Texas; grandsons Roy Don Cowan of Harlingen, TX, Tony Fugit (Tammy Collins) of Omaha, NE, and Terry (Michele) Fugit of Tomball, TX; a number of great- and great-great grandchildren; two brothers, Bill Hudlow and Dean Hudlow, both of Shawnee, OK; one sister, Bettye Carlsten, of Conroe, TX; nieces, nephews and cousins. Visitation will be on Tuesday, December 29, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. and funeral service will be Wednesday, December 30, at 2:00 p.m., both at Walker Funeral Service, 201 E. 45th Street, Shawnee. Officiating will be Reverend Rusty Williams. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park in Shawnee, where she will rest beside her husband and parents. Memorials suggested to Wesley UMC, Pottawatomie County Historical Society Building Fund, or a charity of your choice.