Adele Ann Salem was born in Drumright, Oklahoma on May 15, 1921 to Henry Joseph and Benoura “Nora” (Dumit) Joseph. She passed from this life peacefully on January 4, 2019 at the age of 97 years, 7 months, and 20 days. Adele was raised and educated in Drumright and was a 1940 graduate of Drumright High School. Except for a short time during World War II, Adele lived all of her life in Drumright. On October 30, 1940 she married Joseph Abdo Salem and they made their home in Drumright. She helped her husband in their business, Joe Salem Construction Inc., and together they raised 4 children. She was very active in her children’s school activities, including being a Scout Den Mother, and in the Drumright community. She was a longtime voting precinct official and a volunteer “Pink Lady” with the Drumright Memorial Hospital Auxiliary for many years. She was also a longtime member of the St. Mary Catholic Church Altar Society and lifelong member of the church. She was a lady of overwhelming kindness and generosity, devoted to her faith and her family. No one could arrive or leave her home without her insistence of a meal or some food and drink. She and her five young siblings who still resided at home overcame the hardship of being orphaned at the height of the Depression when both Henry and Nora died in 1937. She stayed home from school to take care of her younger brother, George, delaying her graduation from High School. All the brothers and sisters remained close and supported each other to form the close bonds that could only come from shared hardship. Even without parental income they shared food and other goods with their similarly economically deprived neighbors. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her HUSBAND: Joe; an INFANT SON: Thomas Gerard Salem; a SON-IN-LAW: Francis Smith; 6 BROTHERS and SISTERS: Fred Joseph – George Joseph – Elias Joseph – Nellie Slyman – Alice Nesser - and Marie Joseph.

Her remaining family includes her CHILDREN: Madeline Smith – Dr. Anthony Salem and wife Priscilla –
George Salem and wife Carolyn – Michael Salem and wife Esther; GRANDCHILDREN: Joseph and Lynn
Smith – Lori and Mark Dziadula – Jennifer Salem – Anthony Salem – Susan Salem – Tammy and Jerry
Berg – Philip and Noni Salem – Amiee and James Jones – Jeremiah Salem-Jones – Madison Salem; Great Grandchildren: Bridger and Kalli Smith – Kennedy Smith – Kyle, Allison, Ryan, and Matthew Dziadula – Sarah Salem – Miranda and Jose Valero – Sabiyah Salem – Abigail Salem; GREAT Great Grandchildren: Amorie Smith – Bryson Salem; SISTER: Elizabeth Naifeh; and numerous Nieces – Nephews – Cousins – Other relatives - and loving friends.

Memorials in her name may be given to: Salem Civil Rights Award, c/o Oklahoma University Foundation,
100 Timberdell Road, Norman, OK 73072; the Fred Joseph Memorial Christmas Dinner, c/o Drumright
Community Fund, PO Box 790, Cushing, OK 74023; or the George Joseph Foundation, PO Box 1215,
Drumright, OK 74030.

The Rosary will be recited by Deacon Kenny Longbrake on January 10, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. and Rev. Matthew LaChance will celebrate the Funeral Mass on January 11, 2019 at 11:00 a.m., both at St. Mary Catholic Church in Drumright. Entombment will follow in Euchee Valley Memorial Park five miles west of Drumright, Oklahoma on Highway 33. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Michael’s Funeral Home of Drumright. Online condolences may be expressed at www.MichaelsFuneralServices.com.