Kathleen Hecker

Kathleen Hecker, a lifelong resident of Prague, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully at her home on September 12, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was born on July 21, 1929, in Prague, the daughter of Samuel Hopkins Thompson and Roxie Ethel (Hobbs) Thompson.

While Glenn Elwood Hecker Jr. was serving in the U.S. Air Force, Kathleen met the love of her life. The two were married on May 3, 1952, in Prague, where they built their home and raised their family. Their marriage was a beautiful partnership that lasted until Glen’s passing on February 14, 2015. Together, they raised five children—Trey, Susan, Carol, Rita, and Jeannie—who were the joy of her life.

Kathleen dedicated many years of service to BancFirst of Prague, where she developed lasting relationships and retired as a Vice President. She was also a faithful member of Pleasant Home Baptist Church, where she found great strength in her faith and community.

A skilled seamstress, knitter, and crocheter, Kathleen’s hands were rarely still. She was especially known for her handmade washcloths, which she gifted generously to anyone who would accept them. Her heart was fullest when her home was filled with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren gathered around her table enjoying one of her home-cooked meals. She was a genealogical encyclopedia for the Prague and Paden areas, keeping her sharp mind engaged by preserving family and community history.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Glenn Elwood Hecker Jr.; her son-in-law, Dennis Cannon; her great-great-grandson, Ezekiel Guillory; her brother, Onis William Thompson; her sisters, Lorene Young and Ednamae Marsh; brothers-in-law, Sy Young, Harold Garner, and Noel Marsh; and sister-in-law, Juanita Thompson Coffey.

Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Glenn E. Hecker III (Trey) and his wife, Cecilia; four daughters, Susan Cannon, Carol Smith and her husband, Les, Rita Martin and her husband, Terry, and Melanie “Jeannie” Goodner and her husband, Mark. She is also survived by twelve grandchildren—April Cannon, David Cannon and wife, Mindy, Samantha Day and husband, Brett, Kerry Smith and wife, Sarah, Clint Smith and wife, Lindsey, Candice Smith and husband, Jerry, Shayne Smith, Megan Hecker, Madeline Hecker, Samuel Hecker, Jennifer Blocker and husband, Chad, and Julie Blackwell and husband, Duncan. Her legacy continues through her many great-grandchildren—Alexis Cross, Braden Cross, Kane Rogers, Harli Rogers, Seth Rogers, Hannah Day, Tyler Day, Gracin Cannon, Alivia Cannon, Holden Cannon, Brooklynn Guillory and her husband, Spencer, Lukas Smith, Faith Smith, Dallas Smith, Hannah Smith, Jentezen Smith and his wife, Isabella), Lyla Smith, Russell Smith, Addie Evans, Noah Evans, Cooper Smith, Brody Smith, Graham Smith, Magnolia Smith, Emilia Linn, Glenn Smith, Madison Blocker, Allison Blocker, Emerson Blocker, Ezra Blackwell, Owen Blackwell, Eamon Blackwell, and Wyeth Blackwell—as well as her great-great-grandchildren, Rozalynn Cross and Kayce Rogers. She also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends who will deeply miss her.