Tonda Jo Young

Funeral services for Tonda Jo Young will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, July 12, 2024 at the Apostolic Jesus Name Church of Boswell, Okla., with Pastor Ron Pickard officiating. Private interment will be at Sugar Creek Cemetery in Soper.

Tonda Jo Young was born on March 18, 1961, in San Jose, Calif., to Ima Jo and Douglas Franklin Young. The family settled in Soper shortly after Tonda was born due to Douglas’ agricultural background. Tonda grew up to be skilled in every position on the family’s expansive ranch. Those who knew her often commended her knowledge, work ethic and strength. In school, Tonda was an excellent student, avid 4H member, took part in drama, wrote poetry, was a skilled artist, and a cheerleader, and was also voted “most likely to succeed” by her Upward Bound classmates. Tonda was an excellent singer and in high school, she regularly performed in a musical trio for local TV and radio stations. Tonda was honored as one of the top 3 graduates in the state of Oklahoma upon graduation from her nursing program. She spent nearly 40 years providing love and care to those in her charge who ranged in age from infants to the elderly. In the summer of 1997, she was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and received the gift of the Holy Ghost; after which her walk with God and teaching her children to walk with Him became the most important thing in her life. Tonda passed from this life on July 4, 2024, at the age of 63. She leaves behind two children: Lauren W. Lowrance and husband, Corey L. Lowrance of Hugo, and Aubrey M. Shoemaker and husband, Jason D. Shoemaker of Durant, Okla. She also leaves behind six grandchildren: Micah Lowrance, Gabriel Shoemaker, Avery Shoemaker, Jericho Lowrance, Zacharias Shoemaker and Noa Grace Shoemaker, who according to her, were her greatest blessings in life. Tonda also leaves behind her mother, Ima Jo Barnett of Durant; sisters: Tammy Wood and husband, Monty Wood of Mead, Okla., Trena Davis and husband, Mark Davis of Kokomo, Ind., Krista Wiles and husband, Willie Wiles of Checotah, Okla.; brothers: Trent Young of Okmulgee, Okla., James Barnett and wife, Diane Barnett of Durant, and Jimmie “Rocky” Barnett and wife, Julie Barnett of Eagle Mountain, Utah, along with countless other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, church family, and friends who she loved dearly.

Arrangements are under the direction of Prater-Lampton-Mills & Coffey Funeral Home of Hugo.

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