Lola Lynn (Little) Epps

Lola Lynn (Little) Epps passed away on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at Ascension St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, following a brief illness. Lynn was born March 30, 1950, to Robert Arnold (known to everyone as Mike) and Lola Fern (Kester) Little, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Her name was lovingly chosen by her paternal grandmother, Myrtle Little. Lynn was raised in Bartlesville, as well as on the family ranch in Ramona, Oklahoma, the Little Brothers Ranch, which was started by her great-grandfather and his sons. She was very proud of the fact that her great-grandparents and grandparents were pioneering ranchers in this area and equally proud that one of her great-uncles named the town of Ramona. Some of her favorite childhood memories were from her time spent on the ranch, cane pole fishing with her dad, riding horses, eating grape dumplings that her grandmother made, helping her dad pull calves when necessary, looking through her grandmother’s old turn of the century dresses and shoes that were carefully stored in the attic, and even eating charred hamburgers prepared by the cowboys at one of the cook shacks. She said they were awful, but after a long day of working with her dad, it was something to eat until they could get home, so she didn’t dare complain. Some of her fondest memories were cooking with her mother when she was young. If you knew Lynn, then you knew how much she adored her mother and loved every moment spent with her. Her mother was everything to her. Lynn attended Bartlesville Public Schools, later attending Rogers State College for two years, completing her college education at Southern Nazarene University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She was an extremely intelligent person and was never afraid to ask questions or offer her opinion. One of her hobbies was collecting antiques. Over the years, Lynn became very knowledgeable about them, even learning to refinish furniture. Lynn was a proud member of the Cherokee Nation, having descended from several notable tribal members from both the Eastern and Western Bands. Lynn is survived by her husband, Jim Epps; her daughter (from a previous marriage) Amy Lynn (Maldonado) Butcher and her husband, Nathan; a son, Mike Epps; and her grandchildren, Ember Lynn Butcher and Britton Wesley Butcher, all of Bartlesville. Survivors also include her nieces, Vicki Royer and her husband, Chuck; Misti Montgomery and her husband, John; as well as several great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins. Lynn was preceded in death by her parents, Mike and Lola Little; her paternal grandparents, Joseph and Myrtle (Arnold) Little; her maternal grandparents, Jess and Anna (Close) Kester; her three half-sisters and their husbands, Betty and Bob Radebaugh, Joan and Orville Sheline, and Sandy Shaw; her niece, Christy Jo Radebaugh, and her nephew, Dennis Sheline. Our family would like to extend our deepest gratitude for the wonderful care she was given by the doctors, nurses, and staff during her stay in the ICU at Ascension St. John Medical Center in Tulsa. They truly took the best care of her and also looked out for our well-being, which is truly appreciated. Cremation is under the direction of Stumpff Funeral Home. A private interment will be held at the Dewey Cemetery in Dewey, Oklahoma.

Lola Lynn (Little) Epps

March 30, 1950 - July 8, 2026