02/26/2025

In Loving Memory of Neva "Sue" Altebaumer

Neva "Sue" Altebaumer
1940 ~ 2025

Neva “Sue” Altebaumer, age 84, of Guthrie, Oklahoma, was born on June 29, 1940, in Adair, Oklahoma, to Watt Buster and Neva Marie (Adair) Mitchell. On February 24, 2025, she peacefully reunited with the love of her life, J.W., in heaven.

In 1956, Sue caught the eye of John Wallace Altebaumer at a roller-skating rink in Vinita, Oklahoma. The two quickly fell in love and eloped to Kansas, marrying in secret before later having a second ceremony in Miami, Oklahoma, on July 31, 1956.

Sue and JW dedicated their lives to serving others through their work in the funeral industry, owning and operating multiple funeral homes across Oklahoma. In 1972, they settled in Guthrie, a community they were proud to call home. For 30 years, they owned and operated Davis Funeral Home (now Hayes Funeral Home) until JW’s passing in 2002. In addition to their funeral service, they also owned Mary’s Flower Shop, finding fulfillment in providing comfort and support to families in Logan County and beyond during life’s most challenging moments.

Sue was a faithful member of St. Mary Catholic Church. She was a dedicated member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and served as a past regent.

Alongside JW, Sue had a deep love for thoroughbred horses, and together, they bred, owned, and raced many over the years. Some of their most cherished memories, as well as those of their grandchildren, were made at the racetrack, sharing their passion for the sport.

Above all, Sue’s greatest joy in life was being “Grandma Sue.” She was a loving, dedicated grandmother who adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always putting them first and filling their lives with warmth, laughter, and unconditional love.

Survivors include her daughter Lynnette Hayes and husband Chuck, son John Altebaumer and wife Alina, son-in-law Mike Scales, sister Brenda Hunt and husband Robert, brother Ralph Mitchell and wife Pat, sisters-in-law Patsy Mitchell, Ethel Spaulding and Maxine Altebaumer, and her grandchildren: Cody Hayes and wife Kathy, Heather Byrd and husband Kyle, Holly McBride and husband Cameron, Mitchell Altebaumer, Hope Hayes VanOven and husband Chris, Haley Gillin and husband James, Sydney Scales, and Bridget Carter and husband Dustin. Her great-grandchildren also survive her: Peyton and Bo Hayes, Cooper Downs, Paige Downs and boyfriend Nick Norris, Kyson, Henzley, Hazlyn, and Keston Byrd, Kamdynn, Everly, Creed, and Charlotte McBride, Jason and Emelia Gillin, and Jillian and Thomas Carter. Sue was preceded in death by her parents Watt and Marie Mitchell Whitwell, stepfather Charles Whitwell, husband JW Altebaumer, father-in-law and mother-in-law Gus and Lottie Altebaumer, daughter Michelle Scales, grandson John W. Altebaumer, III, sister Betty Dixon and husband Bill, brother Donnie Mitchell and wife Norma, brother Bill Mitchell, brothers-in-law Freeman Altebaumer, Sylvester Altebaumer, and Don Spaulding.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 10:00 AM at St. Mary Catholic Church in Guthrie, with Rev. James Wickersham officiating. Burial will follow at Summit View Cemetery in Guthrie.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 28, 2025, from 12 – 7 PM at Hayes Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 5 -7 PM.