SHARING GOD’S GIFTS WITH OTHERS
Ray and Marcheta Felts strongly believe that when you’re blessed with wonderful things in life, you are compelled to share those gifts with others. So throughout their lives, they’ve extended that spirit of generosity to OC students by establishing a scholarship endowment and establishing four charitable gift annuities at Oklahoma Christian. Ray grew up in Drumright, Okla., and Marcheta was raised in nearby Sand Springs. From their earliest days, church played a central role in both of their lives. In fact, both of their fathers served as longtime respected elders in their congregations. Marcheta graduated from the University of Tulsa. She met Ray, a U.S. Navy and World War II veteran and Oklahoma State University student, while she was working in Tulsa. After a whirlwind courtship – initiated partly by an elder at Marcheta’s congregation – the couple was married in December 1949. The Felts’ connection to OC began in 1950 when they attended the official dedication of Central Christian College in Bartlesville. Marcheta joined the Stepping Stones, the predecessor to the Oklahoma Christian Women’s Association (OCWA). Stepping Stones was started, in 1955, by the late Dr. James O. Baird and his wife Avanelle. The Bairds asked for help in generating funds for the then-fledgling Christian college that later became Oklahoma Christian. “It’s been a wonderful way to not only help young students, but also for women to get to know one another,” Marcheta said about working with OCWA. “I truly value the friendships I’ve made over the years.” Ray and Marcheta now spend time with their children and grandchildren. Ray, an avid bridge player, has been retired from the oil business for more than 20 years. Marcheta remains active in OCWA and continues to lead a women’s Bible class at South Brook Church of Christ, where she and Ray have attended for more than 50 years. As Ray and Marcheta reflect on their life together, they don’t dwell on what they have accomplished or accumulated, their greatest satisfaction comes from what they have done for others. “We have been given such wonderful blessings through the gift of Jesus; we have always wanted to turn around and share whatever we have, whether it’s friendship, money or emotional support,” Marcheta said. Bob Rowley, senior advancement officer at Oklahoma Christian, has counted the Feltses as dear friends since the early 1970s. “When I think of Ray and Marcheta, their name is synonymous with doing good works. If there is a good work to be done, you
know they’ll be involved with it,” Rowley said. The Felts established the Files-Felts Scholarship Endowment in honor of Marcheta’s parents. This important scholarship endowment provides financial assistance for OC students from Christian children’s homes and students from the Churches of Christ. “Ray and Marcheta provide a wonderful example for us all in how they have chosen to honor God through their lifetime of creative philanthropy,” said Stephen Eck, OC’s director for planned giving. Ray and Marcheta have ensured their spirit of generosity will continue in the future. They recently received a thank-you letter from a scholarship recipient planning to help others through studying conflict resolution. “We feel so strongly that providing scholarship funds for OC will help students and families for years to come,” Ray said. “There’s no way we can explain it to others in full. There are so many positive side-effects from giving. It really ends up with the smiles and notes from those young students.” Stephen Eck (92)
VISION SPRING 2009
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