Florence Ione Place of Poteau, Oklahoma was born March 30, 1937 in Howe, Oklahoma to Carl and Lawasa (Boone) Mattox, and passed away August 24, 2019 in her home surrounded by her loving family at the age of 82.
Ione is survived by her sons Terry and Vicki Place of Howe, Oklahoma, Timothy and Jan Place of Howe, Oklahoma, a daughter Kaye and David Alexander of Poteau, Oklahoma, daughter in law Rise` Place of Howe, Oklahoma, brothers Roger and Barbra Mattox of Poteau, Oklahoma, Paul and Rita Mattox of Talihina, Oklahoma, and Kenneth and Lana Mattox of Poteau, Oklahoma, sister Pat and Johnny Hunt of Howe, Oklahoma, grandchildren Wayne and Nikki Place, Terra and John Richmond, Jarrod Place, Chris and Shyla Hamrick, Heath and Rachel Place, Mark and Holly Place, Chad and Arin Place, Kacey and Josh Cousins, and Blake and Ashley Alexander, twenty seven great grandchildren, six great-great grandchildren and a host of other family and loved ones.
Ione was preceded in death by her parents, husband Norval Place, son Norval Duane Place, daughter Marceline Place, grandson Matt Place, great grandchildren Paige Barton-Place, Behr Place, and Caden Place, brothers Dennis Mattox and Carl Mattox. Florence "Ione" married her sweetheart, Norval Place, in 1954. Together, they shared 53 years of marriage and were blessed with 5 children, 2 of whom passed on before her. Ione lived her life for others to see Jesus through the joys and the sorrows. As "Momma" Place, she not only had a direct prayer line to heaven due to the loss of her children, grandchild, and great-grandchildren, but also for her ever-expanding, rowdy, yet loving, family. She lived her life seeking to be His hands and feet in everything she did. As a community prayer warrior, she interceded for each person she encountered so that they might know they mattered to her and to the Heavenly Father. You would often hear her say, Jesus Jesus Jesus, as an anthem prayer as she knew that her heart was heard. Ione was the epitome of knowing whos she was and where her strength came from. Today we get to celebrate a race well run, not without sorrow, but with honor and admiration.
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Fathers house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:1-3
Pallbearers will be Wayne Place, Jarrod Place, Chris Hamrick, Heath Place, Mark Place, Chad Place, and Blake Alexander.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 28, 2019 at Covenant Church in Poteau, Oklahoma with Rev. Jeff Mattox, and Rev. Roger Mattox officiating. Burial will follow service in Oakland Cemetery Poteau, Oklahoma. Viewing hours will be Monday 9-7 and Tuesday 98, with the family greeting friends from 6-8 at the funeral home. Services are under the direction of Grace Funeral Service Poteau, Oklahoma.
You may leave an online greeting to the family at gracemanorfh.com
SERVICES

Visitation

Monday, August 26, 2019
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Grace Manor Funeral Home
28918 205th AVE
POTEAU, Oklahoma 74953

Visitation

Tuesday, August 27, 2019
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Grace Manor Funeral Home
28918 205th AVE
POTEAU, Oklahoma 74953

Tuesday, August 27, 2019
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Grace Manor Funeral Home
28918 205th AVE
POTEAU, Oklahoma 74953

Wednesday, August 28, 2019
10:00 AM

Covenant Church
2101 South Broadway
Poteau, OK 74953