Faye Sterling Mitchell Raetz died peacefully at Integris Hospice House on Monday, August 27, 2018, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at the age of 57.
Faye is survived by her three daughters: Ashley and James Allinson of Oklahoma City, OK; Alyssa and Daniel Gabbert of Yukon, OK, and Madelynn Mitchell of Yukon, OK; Faye is also survived by her father, William Raetz of Oklahoma City, OK; and her siblings: William Lee Raetz of King City, CA; Vickie Nix of Oklahoma City, OK; Sheri Kingsbury of Oklahoma City, OK; Denise Williams of Oklahoma City, OK; and Kellie Milligan of Mustang, OK, as well as a multitude of nieces and nephews. Faye is also survived by her beloved Boxer, Schatzi; eight grand-dogs and three grand-cats. She is preceded in death by her husband Richard Mitchell and her mother, Opal Mayfield Mathis.
Faye was born on February 3, 1961 in San Luis Obispo, CA to William “Bill” Gable Raetz and Opal Marie Mathes. She lived in California for eight years until her family moved to Tarkio, Missouri where they lived until 1972 when they moved to Oklahoma. She graduated from Northwest Classen High School and received a license in Cosmetology. She married Mike Howard on August 5, 1978 in Oklahoma City, OK when she was 17 years old. Faye was a model, appearing in several publications in Oklahoma City, OK. She was crowned Miss Auto Racing at the State Fair Speedway in 1979. Faye would have two daughters with Mike and they would later divorce in 1996. Faye attended classes for Paralegal studies at Rose State College and OSU-OKC where she met Richard Mitchell. Faye and Richard would have one daughter together and then married in 1999 in Oklahoma City, OK. The two were married for four years until Richard passed away in 2003.
Faye was a stay at home mother most of her life, caring for her three daughters and also raising Miniature Schnauzers. She liked cross-stitch, sewing, drawing, and making crafts. Faye was known for her ornery sense of humor, her skill in the kitchen, her intelligence, and her beauty. Faye enjoyed watching TV, but especially Sooner Football, Thunder Basketball and many other TV Shows. She enjoyed talking on the phone and spending time with her daughters.
A funeral will be held Tuesday, September 4, at 10am at Smith & Turner Mortuary located at 201 E. Main St. in Yukon, OK. She will then be interred at the Fort Sill National Cemetery at 2648 NE Jake Dunn RD. in Elgin, OK. All are welcome to attend and celebrate the life of Faye.