Whitney Marie Easley

Whitney Marie Easley was born on August 25th 1991 in Fayetteville, AR and died August 29th 2025 in Tulsa, OK. Whitney is the daughter of Mitchell Johnson and Vicky Noeltner (Chuck). She is survived by her parents, her daughter Kenlee (KK), her brother Mitchell (Amanda), her niece Melanie, her Grandad (Dewey Johnson), her aunt (Lori Johnson Brandon) and many cousins and friends, as well as her extended family, Shawn (Dana) Dempsey. She was preceded in death by her “Meme”, Betty Johnson, and maternal grandparents Tony and Pat Sadler and countless friends. One extra special friend was Cody Feezell (Dr. Randall and Kathi). Cody found himself engaging in the same mental trench warfare alongside her. They were bonded to fight a common enemy. Whitney was a true empath and the equivalent of a Sigma Male with the exception of desiring social interactions rather than separateness. She saw things on a different plane of existence, and measuring that against her own mind’s depth, it often wounded her deeply. Unfortunately, she chose the wrong coping mechanism, or it chose her, however it may be. Whitney had no use for bureaucratic pedantry nor legalism, absolutism and the accepted dogma that many otherwise accept when that path is easier, especially when courage to question is not a prerequisite. She exercised and valued most her own agency, independence and freedom. Her self-worth was not sought out by the validation of the external world. She didn’t succumb to “group” thinking or indoctrination; yet, she often agreed if it matched her own conclusions. Whitney took me, and relied on my protection, through many harrowing adventures. And I did just that, any way I could, as unconventional as it might have been. Through these adventures, Whit reinforced my belief not to blindly trust the “researched” rule books that proclaim “always do this and never do that”, instead having me rely on my instincts while realizing that science is often pseudo-science and often nothing more than flawed or biased research with the implication of “official.” Statistically-based science may be right EXCEPT when it's wrong - with those blindly trusting it often becoming a statistic. However, we used science if it felt right or legitimate. To us, that was good science. Whitney was very close to, and deeply loved her “G-Dad”, Dewey. She trusted and relied on him always, and especially at the times that her daddy was unavailable. Whitney was a deeply caring spirit and that caring spirit was always there! Even though she was often obfuscated by the negative feelings and emotions she battled, she accepted those battles and never shrugged or cowered away from whatever came her way. My proudest moment was when Whitney, at 5 or 6 years old, came up to me and said “daddy…. DADDY…. I want to be saved! How do I become saved?” I knew at that moment it was paramount that I lead her or find someone to help lead her to The Lord. She accepted Him! While she no longer followed organized religion, I know through our toughest times (with her often being angry at God), He did not turn his back on her because He worked either through me, or her G-Dad, on her behalf. Whitney loved animals, particularly German Shepherd dogs. However, she would never resist a stray dog or dog in need. And when she was unable to care for them, her daddy and G-Dad would always adopt and care for them on her behalf. I told her that through our Cherokee lineage we were members of the Wolf Clan, and maybe that’s why she and I both love dogs. With time and the loss of many dogs due to age, Whitney and I discussed whether we’d see them again. The question often came about because some teachings claim that dogs won’t be in heaven because they have no free will. I told her that’s exactly why I believe they will be there - because they have no option of choice given to them as graciously as He gives us. God knows that many animals live under a tyrannical and cruel master. Yet, the animal is still willing to provide unconditional love, just as He loves us. I visited with Whitney nightly during her last few days. In our conversations I sensed how happy, content and at peace she was. She was living with a pastor and his wife at a sober living home, and she had gained many new friends there! We talked about our Cherokee heritage, and I sent her a picture of a certificate that her “Meme” had obtained that shows our direct descendance from Nancy Ward, known as “Beloved Woman of the Cherokees.” She was quite interested in learning more about her grandmother’s findings and about her mother’s Choctaw ancestors. On her final night, I had a lot of pressure and responsibilities confronting me. We had a short visit and I told her, “I Love You”, and also said, “I’ll call you about this time tomorrow.” Unfortunately, while driving, I received a call at 12:45 p.m. on Friday from a kind and sympathetic Tulsa Police Officer. I then realized my physical interactions with my daughter, in this world, were now gone. Fortunately, her family and I were able to do quite a bit of grieving a couple of years ago, when health related consequences from her usage indicated that she had just two or three months to live. Thanks to God and a wonderful doctor (You Know Who You Are), she was granted almost another 3 years of life. She was TOUGH. As a child, she loved the Chumbawamba song, Tubthumping, with the lyrics “I Get Knocked Down But I Get Up Again. You’re Never Gonna Keep Me Down.” And, that’s how Whitney, unapologetically, lived her life on earth until she was called away from her earthly friends, family and her daddy to go home and be reunited with her friends, her family, especially her “Meme”, and her True Father! Finally, let's be as honest as my recollections of my daughter. WE HAVE A MAJOR DRUG PROBLEM IN THIS COUNTRY! We all need to engage in rational therapy. Denial, cognitive dissonance or individual rationalizations that result in the adoption of a superior attitude to those afflicted will not solve the problem. I’ve visited with several law enforcement officers. One officer, who possesses great understanding and compassion, told me how almost every family in the United States is being affected, with either an immediate or distant family member addicted to or succumbing to various illicit drugs. It does not matter, and the scourge does not discriminate, as to families, ethnicity, professional, economic or social status. This must change if we are going to remain a sovereign country and not pull out the stitching from the fabric keeping our society together. And for those who think (correction - don’t realize for lack of thinking) that they are superior through their words, actions and general demeanor toward an addicted individual, you just might have issues that need to be addressed more than the individuals you’ve subjected to condemnation. By being ignorantly smart – having mental and procedural knowledge while “claiming to care” - but demonstrating responses and behaviors absolutely devoid of compassion, many are therefore useless to patients seeking help. Just like a computer that operates on binary 1’s and 0’s, devoid of emotion, so too does the aforementioned behavior represent “artificial” intelligence. Fortunately, 99.8% of the providers we dealt with through the years have been intelligent and compassionate individuals. My family and I thank all of you - the judges, doctors, law enforcement officials, friends and kindred souls that understand the situation either by direct or indirect experience. You know who you are, and you have our deepest appreciation and loyalty because YOU GRASP THE SEVERITY OF THE PROBLEM FACING THE FAMILIES AND PEOPLES OF THIS NATION! Finally, to you “Sis’ers,” I know you had great courage to write your own obituary two and a half years ago, but I can’t find it with your belongings. Just know your family was blessed with you! In, so many ways you taught us about the human condition. When you were a little girl, you would often run up ahead of the family on the hiking trail. You never left our sight but wanted to be the first to experience and clear the path for us. You have done so again. This time we can’t see you, but we sure do feel your presence, especially through Godwinks. I understand the symbolism of the butterfly that I saw hovering around in the backyard a couple of nights ago. You touched all the dog’s noses, and they chased you while you hovered along the roofline, just watching me in my rocking chair before flying off as far as I could see to the Northwest. We Love You! A funeral service will take place Saturday, September 6th, 2025, at 2 PM at Sisco Funeral Chapel in Springdale. A visitation will follow shortly after the service.

Whitney Marie Easley

August 25, 1991 - August 29, 2025