Genealogy & Cemeteries

07/18/2026

This story is about Love at First Sight, Now and Forever - Jessie Sheets & Finis Welch, Sawyer OK.

Before I begin their story, I have to mention two great women that dedicated their time and talent in accumulating Sawyer history. Shelia Fuller Mandrell, managed the Sawyer Cemetery for many years, and with great success, in both managing and raising funds to improve the cemetery. Along the way, Shelia, accumulated local family history/stories/photos. Then steps in the talented Lanette Davis, Digital Creator. She digitalized all of Shelia's information into a book about Sawyer History. Without their great dedication, this story would not have been made available, so great thanks and appreciation go directly to Shelia and Lanette!

Their love story began when Finis decides he would sing a song and play his guitar to woe the beautiful Jessie and it seemed to work. I could not locate a marriage license for them, but history tells they had a long and loving marriage.

Jessie Sheets is the daughter of David L & Ethel Minnie Usrey Sheets; and Finis Welch is the son of Jake & Laura Jane McCulley Welch. By all accounts, Jessie was a devoted daughter, wife and mother. She was the long-standing Postmistress of Sawyer for 30 years. Finis was dedicated to his family and worked for the State Highway Department, and along the way, he caught the attention of the Corp of Engineers. They were so fond of Finis that they made him an Honorary Lake Patrol. He was so proud that he had that title painted on his truck for all to see!

Jessie departed this world on 19 FEB 1986. 77 days later on 7 MAY 1986, Finis joins his beloved wife. I have found that when couples spend their life together and one partner leaves this world, the other soon follows from a broken heart. This couple started out with a song, and I can only hope Finis is still serenading his love, Jessie in Heaven.

If you have any more insights to their life and love or have additional photos you would like to share, please feel free to do so.

04/28/2026

04/28/2026

With Mother’s Day fast approaching, I took a break from grieving and focused on up cycling this nightstand for myself! Five years after she took her last breath, I’m beginning to breathe again. Healing from grief is a process that only you are in charge of.

04/25/2026

Grief doesn’t come with instructions… and it doesn’t follow a timeline.
After walking through my own loss, I discovered something unexpected—healing can begin with something as simple as a paintbrush.
At Altered Designs – Working Through Grief with Paint, I create a space for women to come together, breathe, talk (or not talk), and gently work through grief while painting and upcycling small pieces.
You don’t have to be artistic. You don’t have to have the “right words.” You just have to show up.
If you or someone you love is carrying loss, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to carry it silently.
✨ I’ll be offering small group workshops soon. If this speaks to you, comment “INFO” or send me a message and I’ll share details.

04/23/2026

This is my sweet momma the day she found the perfect wig. Chemo is a devouring beast, and it took most of her hair. It's not our vanity; it's about our dignity! It's taken me five years to be able look at this photo and smile (inside and out) and appreciate her joy in that moment. Healing takes time.