Banetha Paige Buchanan

Banetha Paige Buchanan of Pawnee, Oklahoma went to meet Jesus and be with her boys on January 25, 2019 at the age of 64.She was born June 19, 1954 in Fort Meade, Maryland; to J.L. and Billie Paige (Cole) VanWinkle. At the age of 7 months they moved to Germany where her father was stationed. After they lived on the base overseas for a few years they returned stateside and found themselves in Ada, Oklahoma. While there her dad began preaching which in turn allowed them to travel all over the state. Banetha called Sayre home for 10 years and while there she accepted Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior. Before she began her senior year of high school the family moved to Glencoe, and she attended the Lone Chimney Church where she was also the pianist. While playing there she got to meet her Cowboy, Calvin. After 5 months they married on May 5th, 1972 and she graduated high school a few short weeks after that. The next phase in her life led her to Oklahoma State University where she obtained her Bachelor’s in Education in 3 years, and then began teaching at Jennings which is where she remained for the next 15. She took a break to stay home when the twins were born. She would watch children during the day and go to school at night and by the time the kids were all back in school she had obtained her Masters in Psychology. She began working at the Pawnee DHS office in family support, moved throughout the different departments; and eventually found herself working with developmentally disabled services in Stillwater. She had a nurturing spirit and a passion for caring for “her guys”. She offered her services for 23 years and due to her health was forced to retire from her supervisor position. Above her passion for helping the developmentally disabled she had a passion for Christ. This led her to helping in any way she could at the church. Banetha loved to sing of God’s glory and whether at home, work, or in the car she was always working on a “special” she could share at church. She taught 1st and 2nd grade Sunday school for over 20 years. She used her hobby skills for teaching crafts at Vacation Bible School and would spend all year preparing for the next year. Her hobbies included playing the piano, crocheting doilies and baby blankets, gardening, and spoiling her grandkids, blood or not. She is survived by her loving husband, Calvin Buchanan, of Pawnee. Three daughters; Jessica Louise Garrison of Maramec; Amanda Paige Poole and husband Jasper of Lone Chimney; Cara Elaine Crabtree and husband D.C. of Shidler. Mother; Billie Paige and Step-Father Larry Yeager of Glencoe. Mother-In-Law; Marjorie Buchanan of Pawnee. Siblings; Dean VanWinkle, of Barnsdall; Brenda Young and husband James, of Sand Springs; and Cal VanWinkle and wife Sharla, of Skedee. Eleven Grandchildren; Brian Layton (fiancé Montana), Jon Layton, Michael Reed, Brandi Buchanan, J.W. Buchanan, Beau Buchanan, Riata Poole, Peyten Poole, Harli Crabtree, Davie Crabtree, and Colby Crabtree. One great-granddaughter Skylar Paige, and numerous other family and friends. She is preceded in death by her father, James Lewis (J.L.) VanWinkle, Father-In-Law D.E. (Buck) Buchanan, and her two sons – William Calvin and Cole Edward. Services for Banetha will be on January 30, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Pawnee, Oklahoma. Officiating will be Bro. John Coker and Bro. Bob Copeland. Interment will be at Highland Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations to MPower Workshops, to assist in occupational therapy with “her guys”. Donations can be mailed to: MPower Workshops, P.O. Box 1509, Stillwater, OK 74074. Services were entrusted to Poteet Funeral Home and Cremation Services, friends can leave a memory for the family at www.poteetfuneralhome.com