Faye Packard

Leona Faye Packard, age 89, passed away on Saturday, July 4, 2026, in Chouteau, Oklahoma. She was born on September 28, 1936, in Salina, Oklahoma, to Ray and Artie (Grigg) Thornton.

Faye’s mother passed away when she was very young, and she was lovingly raised by her father Ray and wife June (Routh) Thornton. She attended Dragger School for her first three years before continuing her education in Salina, where she graduated from high school in 1954. In her younger years, Faye enjoyed playing basketball and carried a lifelong love for watching sports.

On May 14, 1954, Faye married Jim Packard. Together, they traveled pipelining before returning to Salina where they dairy farmed with Jim’s parents. They made their home in Salina until the spring of 1963, when they moved five miles east of Locust Grove to Little Rock, also known as Woodland Junction. In their 61 years together, they operated their farms, milking dairy cows and raising beef cattle from 1963 until 2002, when they sold the dairy. They also raised chickens for Tyson and Simmons from 1997 until Jim passed away in 2015.

Faye and Jim were founding members of the Chimney Rock Fire Department, where Faye spent many hours baking to help support its foundation. She loved to bake and was especially known for her coconut cream pie. She also enjoyed working in her vegetable garden and reading her cookbooks.

Faye was a hard worker and a devoted caretaker who always put others before herself. She faithfully prepared Sunday meals for her family, many times after milking cows that morning and attending church. She was a longtime member of Salina First Baptist Church, where she enjoyed helping in the kitchen. Her life was centered around her family, and she took great joy in making sure they were cared for and well fed.

Faye is survived by her children, Susan Propp and husband Chell of Adair, Oklahoma, and Kenny Packard and wife Vickie of Salina, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Angie Boston and her children, Braden Boston and wife Olivia, and Gabe Boston; Emily Hood and husband Daniel and their children, Erin and Ellie Hood; Ethan Propp; Cory Packard and wife Becky, along with their children, Corbin Packard and wife Erin, Logan Packard and fiancé Zoe Green, and Colt Packard; and Kendall Buford and her children, Jasper, Jax, and Jett Buford. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Artie Thornton, and June (Routh) Thornton; her husband, Jim Packard; and brothers, Everett Thornton and Carol June Thornton.

Faye will be remembered for her loving heart, strong work ethic, and the care she so generously gave to her family and all those around her. She will be dearly missed by her family and all who knew her. 

Funeral services for Faye will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 9, 2026, at Salina First Baptist Church with Chell Propp officiating. Burial will follow in the Ross Mayes Cemetery with Cory Packard, Ethan Propp, Corbin Packard, Logan Packard, Colt Packard, Jasper Buford, and Braden Boston serving as casket bearers. Honorary casket bearers include Gabe Boston, Jax Buford, and Jett Buford. A visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at Shipman's Funeral Home. To leave a personal message, please visit her guestbook at www.shipmansfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman's Funeral & Cremation Service of Pryor.