Vickie Lockhart Jirash obituary

Vickie Lockhart Jirash, age 73, of Oklahoma City (previously of Howe) went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 26, 2026. She was born June 2, 1952, in Heavener to James Grady and Marjorie Lee Luton Lockhart.

Vickie lived a life full of faith, family, laughter, and a deep love for children. She was a devoted wife, a proud and loving mother, an adoring grandmother, and a treasured friend to many.

Growing up in Howe, Vickie spent much of her time in the No. 10 Community and around the family’s Lockhart Station. She attended Howe Schools from elementary through high school and graduated in 1970. Her love for learning and helping children led her to Carl Albert State College and Northeastern State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and later a Master’s Degree in Reading.

Teaching wasn’t just a job for Vickie, it was her calling. For 30 years she taught first grade, shaping young minds and encouraging little hearts. She later continued her work in education as a Reading First Specialist for the State of Oklahoma. Along the way she was honored as Howe Teacher of the Year in 1989 and was named a Top 10 Finalist for Oklahoma State Teacher of the Year.

Generations of students remember her not only for teaching them how to read, but for making them feel loved and believed in. This devotion to educating generations of people in Howe grafted her to the community with deep roots of friendship, devotion, and loyalty that prompted her and many others of the community to fight for the preservation of schools like Howe in the early 1990s, when the threat of closure and consolidation was considered by state legislators.

Vickie, along with many other colleagues, coworkers and community members fought for Howe to stay an independent school and preserve the identity the town is functioning and growing in today.

Vickie’s faith was the foundation of her life. As a young girl she was saved and baptized at No. 10 Community Church. She raised her two boys in Howe with the same faith she held dear, always wanting them to know Jesus above all else.

One of Vickie’s greatest gifts was music. She loved playing the piano and shared that gift faithfully in churches throughout the area. Over the years, she played for countless church services, revivals, weddings, funerals, and school graduations. Through every note she played, she shared her love for the Lord and her heart for people.

Vickie faced cancer twice in her life and gave all the glory to God for carrying her through both battles.

During her second journey she met the love of her life, Ed Jirash, and the two were married on June 1, 2007. Together they built a sweet life filled with simple joys of cheering at Howe basketball, softball, and baseball games, watching OU Sooners and, much to Vickie’s protest at times, USC Trojans football. One of Vickie’s greatest blessings was seeing Ed saved and baptized, a moment that brought her deep joy and gratitude.

Vickie and Ed shared their love of gathering their family and friends for large celebrations, especially around the Fourth of July and other holidays, when the laughter was loud and the love was even louder. Vickie was a consummate host and life of the party when any group, but especially her family, was gathered together. Her desire to entertain, involve and, above all, love during these gatherings was evident to everyone who attended any gathering she hosted.

Vickie’s life was one of kindness, faith, music, and service to others. Her legacy lives on in the many students she taught, the hymns she played, the family she loved, and the countless lives she touched. While she will be deeply missed, those who knew her take comfort in knowing she is now home, welcomed with open arms and surely hearing the most beautiful music of all.

She leaves behind a family who loved her dearly: her sons Ryan McCullah (Christie) and Justin McCullah (Kara) of Oklahoma City; her stepsons Paul Jirash, James Jirash, and Dan Jirash; and her beloved granddaughters Maddie (Michael), Hayley, Mackenzie, Mikiah, Karlee Jaycee, and Mavery, who brought endless joy to her life; her nephew Russell Lockhart (Jill, Olivia, and Autumn) of Mena, Arkansas; her niece Hollie Montgomery (Michael and Brady) of Mena; her aunt Mildred Lockhart of Poteau; and many special cousins including Glenda Folkes, Cheryl Lockhart, Tab Lockhart, Britt Lockhart, Lorree Norris, Ida Henderson Heacock, Greta Suter, Homer, Shawna, Jalei, and Brayden Oglesby, and Jim and Kay Suter, along with a host of very loved family members and dear friends.

Vickie was preceded in death by her husband, Ed Jirash, her parents James Grady and Marjorie Lockhart, and her brother, James Dale Lockhart and sister-in-law, Dianna Stone Lockhart.

The family wishes to thank Morada Lake Hefner Assisted Living and Bristol Hospice for their compassionate care during Vickie’s final days.

A celebration of Vickie’s life will be held on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at Highway Baptist Church in Howe. Interment will follow in Howe Cemetery,  under the care of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener.

Viewing is Wednesday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the funeral home.

In honor of Vickie’s lifelong love for the Howe Lions and the OU Sooners, the family kindly invites everyone to wear red to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions toward funeral expenses. These can be made directly to the Venmo Account @jmccullah5513 or brought to the service.

To sign Vickie’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.