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Lora Ann Needham died peacefully on March 31 after a brief illness. Born on May 25, 1938, in Oklahoma City to Lester P. Smith and Lucille Ada (Sims) Smith, Ann’s early years were rooted in Marlow, Muskogee, and Elmore City, Okla. After the death of her father, she and her mother moved to Norman, where she graduated from Norman High School.
In 1957, she married Jim Moomau. Their early married life took them to Texas, where their two children were born. The family later returned to Norman to work in the family shoe business and subsequently moved to Okmulgee, where they owned and operated a shoe store. In 1974, Ann returned to Norman with her children.
In 1975, Ann married the Rev. George Needham, a United Methodist pastor. Together, they faithfully served congregations in Purcell, Stillwater, Lawton, Oklahoma City, and Checotah. During these years, Ann became deeply involved in the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church and the Conference United Methodist Women (UMW). She served as conference treasurer and later as president, demonstrating the steady leadership and commitment that would define her life’s work.
Ann’s faith was the foundation of her life. She believed that Christian discipleship required active mission, compassionate service, and a commitment to social justice.
From 1980 to 1988, she served as a director of the National Organization of United Methodist Women, including four years as vice president and chair of the Section of Finance. In 1986, she represented the national organization at the Nanjing Ecumenical Conference in the Republic of China. Two years later, she traveled to Zimbabwe as part of a Women’s Division Travel Study Team supporting initiatives for higher education opportunities for women in Africa.
Following George’s retirement in 1989, Ann began a career as executive secretary for leadership development with the Women’s Division of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. She and George moved to Hackensack, New Jersey, and she commuted to New York City, where she worked until her retirement in 2003. They had many fun adventures in New York and Ann became an avid New York Yankees fan.
Upon retirement, Ann and George returned home to Norman, where she became an active member of McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church. She remained deeply involved in United Women of Faith (formerly United Methodist Women), serving as co-chair of programming in her local unit and as secretary of the Heartland District United Women in Faith. At McFarlin, she participated in two UWF circles. She was also a devoted and longtime member of PEO. Gifted with what she often joked was an inability to say “no,” Ann accepted countless leadership roles in both United Women in Faith and PEO, too many to fully list.
Ann was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. George Needham. She is survived by her son, Steve Moomau and his wife, Julia, of Coppell, Texas; her daughter, Susie Wallace, of Edmond, Okla.; grandchildren Daniel Moomau and his wife, Katie; Rebekah Moomau; Benjamin Wallace; Jacob Wallace; and Matthew Wallace; and four great-grandchildren.
Her life was marked by steadfast faith, generous leadership, global vision, and deep love for her family and church. She leaves a legacy of service that continues to inspire all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Neighborhood Services Organization, nsookc.org.
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