Stephanie Dawn Burchette September 10, 1970 - July 3, 2024

There are many words that could be used to describe Stephanie – a loving wife, a wonderful mother, a precious daughter, a sweet sister, a devoted Christian, a loyal friend, a fierce advocate for abused children.  She was kind, sensitive, intelligent, and talented.  She was fun-loving with an infectious smile.  One of her main goals in life was to enable her three beautiful daughters to achieve their individual goals and dreams.  To make this happen, she worked long hours, even working three jobs at one point in her life.  Yes, many words could describe Stephanie, but the one that fits best…….LOVED!

Stephanie Ely Burchette was born on September 10, 1970 in Lawton, Oklahoma to Bob and Edith Ely.  She passed into her eternal home in heaven on July 3, 2024 while on a trip to San Diego, California at the age of 53 years and 10 months.

Stephanie accepted Jesus as her personal Savior at the young age of five on January 17, 1976.  She was baptized in water on May 27, 1984 at the First Pentecostal Holiness Church in Apache, OK.  She joined the Apache First PH Church in September, 1985.

In her growing up years, she competed in Junior Talent and Teen Talent in the piano performance and Creative Writing categories, Conference Bible Quiz, “Miss Warrior” contest and in the “Miss Teen of Oklahoma” pageant.  She also was a member of the West Oklahoma Conference Impact Team, a group of teenagers who traveled to churches and ministered using their musical talents.

Stephanie attended East Side Elementary School in Anadarko and graduated from Anadarko High School in 1988.  She earned her Associate of Arts degree from Southwestern Christian University in Bethany, OK in 1990; a Bachelor of Science degree in Family Studies and Gerontology from Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, OK in 2002; and her Master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK in 2012.

Stephanie and Gary Burchette met at Southwestern Christian University and were married at the First Pentecostal Holiness Church in Apache, OK on December 29, 1990.  They were blessed with three daughters, Jessica, Jennifer, and Jayden.

She formerly worked as a Child Welfare supervisor at the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, an adoption specialist at the Deaconess Home Pregnancy and Adoption Services, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC  – under supervision) at Concepts Integrated Behavioral Health, Counselor at Transitions, Inc.,  and Regional Director at Circle of Care in OKC.  Her last place of employment was at Grand Mental Health Center in Ponca City, OK as an LPC and Children’s Therapist. She considered these jobs as a ministry and her tender heart was shown to many abused and troubled children.

She was pre-deceased by her grandmothers, Ora Ely of Anadarko, OK, and Pauline Manning of Norman, OK.  She is survived by her husband, Gary Burchette of the home, three daughters, Jessica Toledo and her husband, Jared, of Ponca City, OK, Jennifer Burchette, of Edmond, OK, and Jayden Burchette of Norman, OK; her parents, Bob and Edith Ely, Oklahoma City; one brother, Steve Ely and wife, Julie, Oklahoma City; two nephews, Tal Ely and his wife, Kelley, Edmond, OK, and Devin Ely, Oklahoma City; her father and mother-in-law, Shelby and Mae Burchette and brother-in-law, Darrell Burchette, all of Holdenville, OK; many other relatives and a host of friends.

A celebration of Stephanie’s life will be on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Minchew Auditorium, located on the campus of Southwestern Christian University, 7210 NW 39^th Expressway, Bethany, OK. Interment will follow at 3PM at the Fairview Cemetery in Apache, OK, located one-half mile east of Apache on OK Highway 19.

Since Stephanie’s favorite color was blue, the family requests those attending her celebration of life service wear something blue, if possible, to honor her memory.