Madeline Van Ness Driskill

Madeline (Brown) Van Ness Driskill was born on the F.M. Williams farm near the Plainview Community northeast of Walters, Oklahoma on August 12, 1926 to Paul and Olive Williams Brown. She passed away on May 17, 2017 in Lawton, Oklahoma at the age of 90 years, 9 months and 5 days. Graveside service will be held on Monday, May 22 at 1:30 p.m. at the Walters Cemetery with the Rev. Brantley Tillery officiating under the direction of Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home in Walters.  

Her education began in the Plainview community through second grade. Madeline then attended and graduated from Walters ISD where she participated in many musical activities throughout her years.

After graduating as valedictorian of the class of 1943, Madeline attended Cameron College and graduated with her associates before moving to the University of Oklahoma where she graduated in 1947. After graduation, she moved back to Walters and taught elementary music.

She married Robert Ellis Van Ness on June 4, 1952. They moved to Midland, Texas to follow his career. From this union one child was born, Robert Paull Van Ness born November 6, 1954.

Madeline returned to the classroom to teach elementary music in 1960 and later received her Master’s Degree from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. She retired in 1982 after many years of “enjoying children enjoying music”. Madeline could play seven musical instruments and had a natural ear for music. She loved her students and tried her best to instill a love for music into each of them.

After the death of her husband Robert in October 18,1987 she remained in Midland until she married Vernon Glenn Driskill on August 16, 1993 and moved to Byers, Texas. Vernon passed away October 27, 1996. After his death, she returned to Midland to be closer to her son and his family. In August 2014, she and her son’s family moved to Lawton, Oklahoma area where she lived until her death.

Madeline enjoyed traveling both nationally and internationally throughout her life. She found joy in spending time with her granddaughter Jessica whom she sewed clothes for and shared her love of music with. Madeline will be remembered as someone who loved a good cup of coffee and was devoted to her family.

She is survived by her son Robert Paul Van Ness and his wife Debra McCuiston Van Ness of Geronimo, OK a granddaughter, Jessica Mintz and her husband Ofer of Austin, TX, two step-grandchildren, Jarod L. Kay of Refugio, TX and Brittany N. Kay of Wichita Falls, TX and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff of Cedar Crest Manor for the wonderful care that was given to Madeline during her time there. They became her second family. In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to the Cedar Crest Manor Resident Activity Fund, 1700 NW Ft. Sill Blvd., Lawton, OK 73507