Imogene Lorene Gallagher

Imogene Lorene “Jean” Gallagher was born on July 8, 1933, to Leah Minnie (Johnson) and Jesse Wesley Hawkins in Okemah, OK. Born with pure lineage into the Muscogee Creek Nation, she was also of the Alligator Clan. The first of fourteen children, Jean had a nurturing spirit. She quit school after the 8th grade to stay home and help take care of her siblings. She attended church at Greenleaf Indian Baptist Church and accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at a very young age.

Jean later obtained her GED and pursued coursework at Western Oklahoma State College, demonstrating her lifelong commitment to learning. Jean was an avid reader throughout her life and loved to work in her yard and cook. You could always count on Jean to be the first to volunteer to bring a dish to an upcoming event or celebration. She won the Cotton-Picking Chili Cook-off with her excellent chili.

She and Frederick Francis “Fred” Gallagher were married on March 11, 1970, in Vernon, TX and were blessed to celebrate their 55th anniversary together. Together they had eight children, JoAnn Hawkins Fisher, Michael Gallagher, Timothy Gallagher, Patrick Gallagher, Donna Gallagher, David Gallagher, Ted Gallagher, and Latisha Gallagher.

Jean dedicated 33 years to Jackson County Memorial Hospital, beginning in the housekeeping laundry department and later transitioning to central stores for the computerized inventory system. She adapted to the technological changes, humorously retiring with the declaration, “I don’t ever want to look at another computer!”.

Her community engagement included leadership in the Jackson County Democratic Women’s Group and active membership at Tabernacle Baptist Church, where she contributed to Sunday School and church activities. Her nurturing spirit continued and was extended to others, especially as part of the Football Mothers Club when David and Ted were in high school.

Jean stepped from this life, into the arms of Jesus on Sunday, April 6, 2025. She will be missed but we take comfort in the knowledge that she’s gone home to be with the many loved ones who preceded her, and that she was able to walk into Heaven without pain.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leah and Jesse Hawkins; her sons, David, Patrick and Michael; daughter, Donna; sister, Ann Van Damme; brothers, Jim Hawkins, Glen Hawkins, Dale Hawkins, Robert Hawkins, Paul Hawkins, William Hawkins, Clint Hawkins, and Steven Hawkins; and a nephew, Chris Van Damme.

Jean is survived by her devoted husband, Fred; three children, JoAnn Fisher (Fort Worth, TX), Tim Gallagher and wife, Christy (Amarillo, TX), Ted Gallagher (Amarillo, TX), and Latisha Gallagher (Amarillo, TX); four sisters, Junie Babb and husband, Gary (Phoenix, AZ), Sarah Behling and husband, Tom (Harlingen, TX), Winnie Woods and husband, Danny (Amarillo, TX), and Louise Marris (Dallas, TX); and her special sister, Angie Warren (Altus, OK). In addition, she is survived by five grandchildren and many great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Services are scheduled for 2:00 PM on Friday, April 11th, at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Altus with Rev. Greg Hawn officiating. Burial will immediately follow at the Altus City Cemetery.

Online tributes may be made at www.kincannonfuneralhome.com.