Reba Hipp

A memorial service for Reba (Millican) Hipp will be Saturday, February 2nd at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church with Dr. Alton Fannin, Jeff McCreary and Claude Williams officiating.

Reba Maudene Millican was born August 18, 1919 to Annie Maud (Lamb) Millican and Charlie Washington Millican near Robert Lee, Texas. Reba was born 3 minutes after her identical twin sister Eva Charlene. As the twins grew they became "The Apple of their Papa's Eye". He made sure they were always dressed exactly alike...all the way down to their socks.

The Millicans were ranchers and they had a lot of animals on their place so there was a lot of work to do inside and out. However, as the twins were growing up they had an older sister to help their Mama inside and an older brother to help their Papa with the outside chores. That allowed the twins to spend much of their time with the animals they loved so much, especially the horses. Reba and Eva were saddling their own horses at a very early age. They were very adventurous! Their Papa often said "What one of them couldn't think of...the other one COULD".

Later on, the Millicans moved to the neighboring county where Reba met a young man named Glen Boyd Hipp, better known as Pete, to his family and friends. Pete and Reba eventually married February 26, 1936.  As Pete was the youngest of 9 children and his 8 siblings had already left the nest, he was helping his father continue working the farm after his mother had recently passed away. So Reba pitched in and took over in the house while the men kept the farm going. However, just a year later Mr. Hipp died as a result of an accident on the farm.

As time went on Pete decided there had to be something better than farming. He was more inclined toward mechanics, so he went to diesel mechanics school in Memphis. When he got back he and Reba, along with their one year old daughter, packed up and headed west. They got as far as Douglas, Arizona, 50 miles into Arizona on the Mexico border. They soon found work and began putting down roots.

Reba was a natural at being a homemaker. She was a great cook, an immaculate housekeeper, and she loved working in the yard. She had a green thumb when it came to growing pretty flowers.

Reba was also an excellent seamstress. They now had 2 more daughters, so with 3 girls and herself to sew for she kept very busy. She almost always made 3 matching outfits at a time...even for their Halloween costumes for the city's annual parade and costume judging contest. They won 1st place 2 different times.

In the early 50's Reba and a friend decided to try out for a part in a Western movie that was to be filmed on the Krentz Ranch NE of town. They signed up and were chosen to be pioneer women traveling with their families in covered wagons. It was quite an experience for them! The movie was named "Branded", starring Joseph Cotton and Shelley Winters.

Reba went to work for Bell Telephone Company in 1952 as Switchboard Operator. But after only one year it became the end of an era...Bell automated to dial phones and Switchboard Operators were no longer needed.

Pete and Reba divorced in 1958. She and the girls moved to Milburn, Oklahoma to be close to her twin sister and family. She soon found a job at the Madill pants factory. She made many friends during the thirteen years she worked there.

Reba met her BEST friend in 1962 when she and Edna Platt of Durant were roommates in the hospital. They instantly bonded and had a life - long friendship. They were only two months apart in age. Edna passed February 7th, 2018.

Reba moved to Durant in 1976 and after two years was able to buy a home of her own. She worked hard in her yard with help from her new friend George Phillips. They created lovely views in both front and back yards. They became soulmates for 16 years until he passed away in 1995. They were very good for each other. They both loved to fish every chance they got and they enjoyed being a part of each other's family gatherings.

In September of 2012, Reba was moved to Ardmore to be close to family. She lived at Canoe Brook Assisted Living and was getting around on her own until a bad fall landed her in the hospital in April 2018.  Her last 7 months were at Lakeland Manor Nursing Home. Reba was always particular about how she dressed and about her hair. She loved pretty clothes and costume jewelry. While she lived at Canoe Brook she was often referred to as their cute little fashioniesta.

Reba was preceded in death by her parents; the father of her children; her sisters, Vera Broadnax and Eva Walls; and her brother, Stanley Millican. Reba is survived by her 3 daughters: Janet Vestal and husband Tom; Carolyn (Carol) Patton and husband Jim; Jacquelyn Falkner and husband Kenneth. 4 Grandchildren: Boyd Vestal and wife Michele; Quita Vestal McDonald and husband Gary; Jeff McCreary and wife Rebecca; Gina McCreary Kirkley and husband Doug; 10 Great Grandchildren: Jason Vestal and wife Jamie; Micah McCreary DeKaye and husband Dan; Jared McCreary; Aaron Vestal and Fiancée Melody Crowe; Candace McCreary Famiglietti and husband Andrew; MaKayla Vestal; Jackson Kirkley and Fiancée Adria Calico; and Mitchell Kirkley; 6 Great-Great Grandchildren.

REBA/ MAM'MA WILL BE GREATLY MISSED!!!

Memorial may be made to ASPCA.org or the your charity of choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.craddockfuneralhome.com