Vona Sue Albert

Vona Sue (Kile) Albert was born December 20, 1947, in Beaver, Oklahoma to Clyde “Tuffy” and Ruth (Davis) Kile. She passed peacefully with her children by her side, December 7, 2021.

Growing up outside of Beaver, Vona Sue was a tom-boy. She loved being outside helping her dad on the farm. She loved to drive the tractor. At age 10, her first tractor was a Farmall. She drove it to town, down the main street of Beaver, and north of Forgan to bale hay with her dad. Driving the tractor became her full-time job for several summers. Clyde later bought her an 830 Case tractor that had an umbrella for shade and a radio. She had fond memories of baling alfalfa all night on that tractor. A strong work ethic was instilled in her at a young age, and it never wavered.

Vona Sue’s love of travel began at a young age, thanks to 4-H. Prior to her freshman year, she traveled to Pennsylvania on a 4-H exchange trip. The following year she was selected as one of 55 Ambassadors of Oklahoma 4-H chosen to travel to New York City for the World’s Fair. The group then flew from NYC to Europe, traveling for a month across 9 countries. She brought home a treasured sculpture from Czechoslovakia wrapped in her clothing that she still proudly had on display nearly six decades later. Another trip was a citizenship seminar where she met Connie (Swart) Sells from Laverne. She and Connie connected instantly, later becoming college roommates and best friends for the next 55 years.

After graduating from Beaver High School in 1966, Vona attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University. While in college, she married her high school sweetheart, Troy Hoover. Vona Sue cleaned houses and washed windows for several families in Alva. She graduated in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in education and a minor in music. After graduation, they moved back to Beaver County to the family farm.

Vona began her teaching career at Garrett Elementary in 1970. At the time, she was the highest paid first year teacher in the state, earning $6600 a year. She loved her first grade students at Garrett, with her smallest class having only 3 students. To better connect with her kids of all levels, Vona Sue decided to go back to school. She and Connie drove back and forth to Alva for classes, where she finished her Master’s Degree in Special Education with an emphasis in reading, in 1975. Later that year, her daughter Tana was born.

Vona Sue also spent one year teaching 5th grade in Turpin in the late 70’s. It was during that year she had a special group of kids, whom she kept in touch with for years to come.

In her younger years, Vona’s favorite hobby was painting ceramics. She had her own kiln to fire ceramics at home. A finished piece of ceramic was her favorite gift to give to others. Vona Sue was the beloved piano teacher to many children across Beaver County. She would teach school all day, and give music lessons most evenings. Some of her piano students rode the bus to her house, others she taught in their homes, often wrapping up her evenings after 9pm. Her piano students enjoyed Cheetos, brownies, and Dr. Peppers as late afternoon snacks with her before lessons. Cristyal McKeever, her longest running music student of nine years, always held a special place in her heart.

Vona Sue married the love of her life, Jack Albert, on Aug 1, 1980. Jack’s one request was that she hang up her teacher hat, to be a wife and mom at home. Their only son, Michael Joe Albert, was born in 1982. Vona Sue was a homemaker, prioritizing her husband and kids above all else. She often said “if everyone could marry someone like Jack Albert, the world would no longer know divorce”. She served as a home room mom and local 4-H leader for many years. Pushing her children in all aspects of fine arts, 4-H, and FFA was important to her. Public speaking contests, service projects, and detailed 4-H record books were not optional. She asked a lot of those around her, all out of love, molding them into better people. Her message to herself and others each day was simple; be satisfied with nothing but your best. This was written on her check book registry to see often. She gave 100% and expected it in return.

Throughout much of the 1990’s Vona Sue could be found at Anything Grows, designing floral arrangements with several of her closest friends. She opened S&S, an in-home gift and plant business that she operated for more than 25 years with her son, Mike. She loved trips to Dallas market with Connie Niles and was never more excited than when a truckload of poinsettias or Easter lilies arrived from the grower, often at 4am, to unload. Her church, friends, and community were showered with beautiful plants throughout the year thanks to Vona Sue. Her greatest passions included her family, working in her immaculate yard, her English Bulldogs, and attending OSU home football games. She and Jack were season ticket holders for nearly two decades. Vona Sue was a life-long member of the First Christian Church in Beaver. She served on both the Beaver County and State of Oklahoma Fair boards.

Vona Sue was a pillar in the Beaver community, known for her generosity by all who knew her. She had a servant’s heart, for every person she came in contact with. She gave to others without wanting anything in return. Vona hosted many showers and weddings in her home and courtyard. She loved nothing more than to open her beautiful home to others celebrating their special day.

Vona Sue’s world changed in 2013 when her only grandchild, Canon Kile Hoover, was born. As an infant, she and Jack made an effort to see Canon each month, never letting more than four weeks pass between visits. After losing Jack in 2016, Vona Sue spent the last four and a half years living with Tana, Monica, and Canon in McKinney, TX. She thrived in her role as Sittee, showering Canon with her love, affection, and ice cream every day.

Vona Sue is preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Ruth Kile, and her husband of 36 years, Jack Albert. She is survived by her daughter Tana and wife Monica, of McKinney,Texas; her son, Mike Albert of Aspen, CO; one grandson, Canon Kile Hoover of McKinney; a brother Terry Kile and wife Susan of Beaver, OK; a nephew, Chad Kile of New Mexico; a special niece, Gina Kile Benton, husband Bob and son Lathe, of Waurika, OK; and a host of close friends and loved ones.