Obituary of Lola Fern Whitehead

Lola Fern Whitehead, age 96, passed from this life at 4:30 a.m. on June 8th, 2017 surrounded by her family, at her home in Sapulpa. Lola was born April 9th, 1921 in Picher, Oklahoma to William and Maudie Provance Osborne.

Lola graduated from Kellyville High School and married Ivan Bristol. They had 3 sons; James, Donald and Charles.

She later married her lifelong friend, Robert Whitehead, who had one son, Michael and 2 daughters, Charlotte and Cora Lee. One daughter, Linda, was born of this union. Bob and Lola enjoyed 53 years together.

Their plastering business took them to Missouri in 1962 where he continued his trade. They co-owned and operated Bobs Bar-B-Que Restaurant on Highway 70 near New Florence, Mo. The restaurant had a reputation of having the best barbeque sauce in the country. Their awesome barbeque sauce as well as hams were shipped everywhere. Hence, the slogan, ‘The Secret is In the Sauce’. Lola’s family still has the secret recipe for the sauce.

 In 1976 Bob accepted a job in Bakersfield, California. He became a contractor and Lola was the business manager of Whitehead Plastering. Lola loved fishing with Bob at Lake Isabella. She loved to create oil paintings, work in her flower beds, read many books and worked on her computer.

In 2003 the couple sold their holdings in California and moved back to Oklahoma where they purchased a home northwest of the Blue Bell community near their children. Lola enjoyed attending Blue Bell Church. She was actively involved in the Red Hats and Canes Club. She organized the 20/20 Plus Club in Sapulpa after losing her vision to macular degeneration.

Lola was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Whitehead; son, James Bristol; daughter, Cora Lee Blose;  granddaughter, Robin Oliver ; by 3 sisters, Dorothy Whitehead,  Marylee Hall and Dorothy Fielding; special nephew Tommy Whitehead; father William Osborne, mother and stepfather Maudie and Arthur Stanfill.

Lola is survived by her children: Don Bristol and wife, Dorothy of Tulsa, Ok; Charles Bristol and wife, Mary of Rhineland, Mo; Mike Whitehead and wife, JoAnn of Sapulpa, Ok; Linda Sands and husband, Glen of Sapulpa, Ok; Charlotte Miller and husband, Jimmy of Sapulpa, Ok.

20 Grandchildren: Cathy Jones, James Bristol, Jr, Donald Bristol, Jr, Tammy Blevins, Christy Bristol, Chad Bristol, Greg Bristol, Cindee Casaus, Michael Whitehead, Jeff Whitehead, Jim Miller, Becky Williams, Kim Acree, Tonya Smith, Rita Fortner, Ross Sands, Kayla Sands, Tristany Hoffman, Brianna Sands and Tyler Sands ; 47 great grandchildren and 7 great, great grandchildren.

She is also survived by special nieces: Barbara Parker, Karen Jones; great nephew, Steve Whitehead; special friend, Lou Lankford from Wyoming; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Services will be held at Green Hill Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, June 12th at 11:00am. Visitation services will be held Sunday, June 11th from 1 till 8pm. The family will receive visitors from 5 till 7.  The family has entrusted the services to the directors at Green Hill Funeral Home.  9182242312/www.greenhillok.com