Oklahoma Letters for First Lady Mrs Sarah Stitt

Lisa Carpenter Grant’s Son

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
My name is Lisa Carpenter Grant. I am the Oklahoma Lead Ambassador for a 50-state
campaign called the First Ladies’ Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall. This campaign was
loosely inspired by the DEA Faces of Fentanyl Wall at the DEA Museum in Arlington,
Virginia. Our goal is to have a Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall put up in all 50 State Capitol
complexes to honor our loved ones as victims of this drug crisis our country is facing. I
have been to the DEA Museum in Arlington, Virginia to see my son’s beautiful picture on
their wall. Seeing his image, along with the thousands of others, was a moving and
powerful experience. Every one of our lost sons, daughters, moms, dads, siblings,
husbands, wives, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends were so much more than what
took their lives. By displaying their faces and names at our State Capitol complex, they will
continue to live on in memoriam, rather than quietly becoming a statistic. The grieving and
affected mothers who are driving this campaign have accomplished so much already with
a Virtual Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall for every state, but we’re not finished, and we need
your help.
I lost my 29-year-old son, Rylee, to fentanyl poisoning on April 27, 2022. I found him
deceased in his bedroom at our family home. Rylee was an intellectual and a scholar
achieving two college degrees. He was the smartest and most interesting person I have
ever known. He was creative, energetic, curious, brave, and wild. He had the mind of a
philosopher, the heart of a revolutionary, and the humor of a madman. He was a hot mess,
and we loved him for it. Rylee didn’t want to die, but that choice was taken from him. He
was deceived.
The last time I saw and spoke with him, he was sitting at his computer researching
graduate schools. He had a full life with family and friends who will forever remain
devastated by his death. As his mother, I am compelled to keep his name a relevant part
of the conversation. I believe a Memorial Wall with the names and faces of those lost to
drugs in Oklahoma is a simple, yet impactful way to do that. You find the wall, and we’ll do
the rest.
I would appreciate an opportunity to tell you more about our campaign.
A grieving, but hopeful mother,
Lisa Carpenter Grant - Rylee’s mom; forever 29
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Email: lisacarpentergrant@yahoo.com
OK State Lead

Whitney Ruggles’ Son
Melissa Ruggles’ Grandson

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
My name is Whitney Ruggles, and I’m a mother from Tulsa that lost my 15-year-old son, Hunter,
to fentanyl poisoning.
On December 30th, 2021, I answered the phone call that would change my life forever. Wes,
Hunter’s dad, was crying and saying that Hunter was blue; something I never expected or
thought I would hear. We raced to Wes’s house. I was strangely calm. When we pulled up, there
were two fire trucks, several police cars, and an ambulance that was driving away. When I went
inside to figure out what was going on some officers were talking with Wes, as he was panicking,
and others were trying to talk to Hunter’s friend to figure out what happened. I stood there for a
few minutes without anyone acknowledging that I was in the room. I asked if I even needed to be
there or if I could go to the hospital. They said, yes, since you’re the mother, you can go. Quickly,
my husband, Mike, and I got in the car and headed to the hospital.
When we got there, we watched ten or more people work tirelessly for almost two hours to revive
my baby, my first born. I had no words, just prayers. They moved him to PICU where he told me
they would do everything they could, but it wasn’t going to help, in his opinion; that it was just
hurting him, and then asked if I wanted to continue. That’s when I finally cried. I told him I
couldn’t make that decision, and I needed him to do what was best. We waited for the rest of the
family to come, and at 2:12 p.m. on December 30, 2021, I lost my son forever.
I kissed and hugged him and left the hospital heartbroken and changed forever. 15 years and 16
days just wasn’t enough time with my son. Every day is hard knowing he isn’t here. I do find
some peace in knowing he is safe now.
He was a young man with a bright future. He was passionate about skateboarding and was
hoping to get sponsored one day. Even when he was younger, he always said he wanted to be
famous. He had such a big heart and always wanted to make someone smile. His friends have
said he was always the happiest one in the room, but a close friend said it best, “He was a
special kid, ornery, smart, defiant, and perfect.” He could harness the power to cause a riot, but
yet, be the politest kid ever. He was truly loved by so many and absolutely will be missed.
He didn’t want to die that day. He just made a horrible decision, and it cost him his life.
Please help us build a Memorial Wall for our loved ones.
A grieving mother,
Whitney Ruggles – Hunter’s mom; forever 15
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Dear First Lady Stitt,
My name is Melissa Ruggles. This is the hardest letter I will ever have to write. I lost my
grandson, Hunter James, to fentanyl poisoning on 12/30/21. He was only 15.
Me and his papa had a special bond with Hunter. We were fortunate enough to spend time with
him from the time he was born until the day he passed. It is a heartbreaking experience I hope
no other family must endure.
As he grew from a baby to his teenage years, he always had an adventurous spirit. He could
make you frustrated and laugh at the same time. He loved sports and the water. He was taught
to swim in the first year of his life and never forgot from that day forward. His sports activities
were soccer, gymnastics, and taekwondo. Then came skateboarding. That was his passion. Our
family believed one day he would be sponsored by a company who shared his passion.
While dropping Hunter off at work just a few days before his death, the last words Larry, my
husband, heard him speak to him were, “I LOVE YOU, PAPA”. The last contact I had with Hunter
was a text message I sent to him telling him “I love you!” Hunter was a special child to everyone
in our family.
One thing you could do for our family and others is help us get a Memorial Wall built with each
name of our loved ones who has died unnecessarily from these tragic events.
Thank you for taking the time to read these letters.
Melissa Ruggles – Hunter’s Nanny; forever 15
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Intentional Blank Page

Angela Lancaster’s Daughter

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
My name is Angela Lancaster. I lost my daughter, Angel Amanda Peterson, on August 7,
2021, to fentanyl poisoning.
Let me tell you about my daughter. She was a gift from God. Angel was a hard worker.
From the time she was able to walk, she loved horses. Angel was excellent in school also.
She was on the Honor Roll from Kindergarten through her senior year in high school. She
graduated in 2003, with a full ride to Carl Albert State College in Poteau, Oklahoma. Angel
grew up showing Quarter Horses with me. She qualified for the AQHA Junior World Show
for the State of Oklahoma in 1995 and 1996.
When she graduated from high school she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. She had
surgery in 2004, and radiation after. Two years later, the cancer came back. She had
surgery and radiation again. Throughout this time, she remained in college. After her
surgery, she even went to school straight from the hospital as soon as she was released.
My daughter finished up with four degrees from 2004 through 2013.
In 2011, she had a son. In 2014, she had a daughter. She was a single parent for most of
their lives.
I don’t know how or why my daughter took a wrong turn. All I do know is that our streets
are filled with this poison, and we are not supposed to be burying our children.
My daughter was the best of me and my best friend.
Please, I ask you to help us with this Memorial Wall so we may continue to spread
awareness and get the word out to stop this epidemic.
My sincere thanks from a grieving mother,
Angela Lancaster – Angel’s mom; forever 36
Gans, Oklahoma

Angie Courtney’s Son

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
My name is Angie Courtney. My husband, Larry, and I live in Miami, Oklahoma. We lost
our son, Max, on October 26, 2013, in Wichita, Kansas. Max was born in Ponca City,
Oklahoma on October 17, 1991. There has never been a baby more wanted and loved
than Max. He was the only grandson of his grandfather to continue his name, so to say he
was wanted would be an understatement. He was born perfect. Max was a beloved son,
brother, daddy, uncle, grandson, cousin, nephew, and friend. He was such a joy to so
many.
He started showing signs of depression and anxiety in middle school. He didn’t like how
the medications made him so lethargic. He barreled through until his sophomore year
when he was introduced to marijuana. Max was in and out of boys’ homes, rehabs, courtordered
placements, due to marijuana and stealing, until he was 18. Next, it was jail.
Max’s dream was to own his own restaurant and call it ‘Eat to the Max’. Max was very witty
and very bright. He was a Duke Tip Talent student in the seventh grade when he scored in
the 99th percentile in English on the Iowa Basic Skills testing. Much to our dismay, he
hated being smart.
Max was a 17-year-old dad to Carter. He loved him very much.
The poisoning of Max was never investigated. Although, the dealer was charged with
possession. My husband and I attended every court appearance. At his last hearing, we
asked the judge if we could give a victim’s impact statement. The judge said, “No”,
suggesting that we were not victims. We were devastated all over again. Our child was
poisoned to death, but we were not the victims. The dealer received probation. There was
no justice for Carter’s daddy and our beautiful son, Max.
Max felt like all the world’s pressure was on him. At the age of 22 years and nine days,
Max did heroin for the last time.
Please consider Max’s story for the Memorial Wall. He is still loved and missed beyond
measure. Thank you for your support in bringing awareness to our state.
Sincerely,
Angie Courtney – Max’s mom; forever 22
Miami, Oklahoma

Angie Pierce-Allsbury’s Son

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
My name is Angie Pierce-Allsbury. I lost my firstborn son, Jamon Alexander Marshall.
Jamon was 22 years old when he passed away on March 22, 2022, from fentanyl
poisoning. Jamon had two siblings, Alyssa and Landon. He was literally the glue that held
my little family of four together.
Jamon was a tree climber and a storm chaser, so any natural disaster that came around,
he was there. I guess you could say, he was a first responder for cleaning up the
aftermath.
I’ve always known my son was special. He had a love for EVERYONE and EVERYTHING
around him. Jamon was a great man, but I didn’t know how great until he passed away.
When Jamon died, the messages started coming in on Facebook; 20, or more, the first
day, alone. Day two, there were 50 messages about how kind and comforting Jamon had
been to their families when they were at their lowest. At 22, my son had helped more
people than I could ever imagine.
For as long as I can remember, all Jamon wanted to do was be a dad. He wanted to get
married and have a family. Jamon never got that chance because his life was cut short.
Three years ago, Jamon was in an accident at work where he broke his ankle. He had two
surgeries in a year-and-a-half. He had to go back to work early without doing physical
therapy, and they took his pain medicine away, so he did what so many had done before
him. He purchased a Percocet from a friend of his, but it was laced with fentanyl. Jamon
did not go seeking a drug to get “high”. He was hooked on pain meds, through no fault of
his own, and just wanted to feel better.
He will never be a dad. He will never have a wife. He won’t get to watch his niece grow up.
He won’t be here to welcome his brother back from Romania. Jamon is gone, and he is
never coming back. He was a wonderful son, a solid brother, and our family is forever
changed, all because of a little blue pill.
Jamon, and every other person who has lost their lives to this drug, are casualties of war.
Will you help the healing by putting up a Memorial Wall in their honor?
Thank you for your consideration,
Angie Pierce-Allsbury – Jamon’s mom; forever 22
Newkirk, Oklahoma

Candace Lockner’s Son

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
Hello, my name is Candace Lockner. I lost my son, Dylan, to fentanyl poisoning on
December 20, 2021. He was 23 years old and my youngest son. He was a hard worker
and loved his family and friends. He was so full of life and very loyal. On the day that he
was born, he had to fight for his first breaths. From then on, he has always been a fighter
and strong, never giving up.
After graduating from high school, he moved to Texas and went into the oilfield. He
worked long hours, and always made sure that his family and friends were taken care of.
After several years of this, he moved back home to start a new chapter in his life. He got
into construction where he quickly moved up, becoming foreman for the company that he
was working with. He loved fishing, hunting, and being in the mountains with his friends,
living life to the fullest and never letting anything scare him. He was always ready to try
something new.
He would hang out with his friends on the weekends or have cookouts with his family,
always playing with his niece and nephew. Some weekends he would have bonfires while
hanging out with his buddies drinking some beers, but always making sure that everybody
was safe and taken care of.
I remember our last Thanksgiving together in November of 2021, when he had this big
cookout. He said to me, “I love you, Madre`. I just know that if anything happens to me, my
friends will always be there to take care of you.” That was the last day that I saw my son
alive.
He had been injured in a motorcycle wreck several months prior and was prescribed pain
medication by the doctor. One night, after he had run out of pain medication, he was
hurting, so one of his friends gave him what he thought was a pain pill, but it was fentanyl.
Dylan’s death has left such a big hole in my heart, as well as his family and friends. I miss
my baby so much. I don’t ever want to see another family go through this pain and
heartache. Something has got to be done.
We are asking that you please consider helping us to build a Memorial Wall for our loved
ones so they may be remembered.
Thank you for your time,
Candace Lockner – Dylan’s mom; forever 23
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Cerina Boehrer’s Husband

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
I lost my husband, Tyler, to fentanyl poisoning on January 8, 2022.
Tyler was retired from the U.S. Army and was a 100% service-connected combat veteran.
When my husband came back from two tours in Iraq he was broken, both physically and
mentally. He was prescribed a litany of narcotics by the VA, and when he was abruptly
taken off them, he sought out his medicine on the street. Eventually, that turned into a fullblown
heroin addiction. Although Tyler did experience long periods of sobriety, he never
could seem to make it stick and would relapse for one reason or another. His last relapse
came after complete shoulder joint replacement surgery. After surgery, he was prescribed
opiate painkillers. After more than a year of habitual heroin use, he went to rehab in
Florida for six weeks. I finally had my husband back.
Eleven days after he came home from rehab, someone gave him fentanyl under the guise
of it being heroin. When I went to the store for 20 minutes he took the lethal dose, and I
found him unresponsive on the bathroom floor when I came home. In that moment, my
entire existence changed forever.
Tyler was my best friend. I know a lot of people say that about their spouse, but he really
was my best friend. We worked together. We lived together. We traveled together. We
laughed together. In fact, we laughed a lot because Tyler was very funny and quick-witted.
He was always the life of the party. If you met him once, you would remember him forever.
He always knew how to make you laugh, even at his own expense. You always knew you
were making memories as they happened when he was around.
He was very proud of his service to our country. He was a patriot, and he enjoyed giving
back, especially to Veterans. It’s where he felt the most useful. The world is just a little bit
darker without him in it.
When Tyler died, I lost my purpose for a long time. Now I have found it again as an
Ambassador for the Oklahoma Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall. If this Memorial Wall could
help save the life of just one person, one veteran, one husband, or one father, it would be
worth it.
Sincerely yours,
Cerina Boehrer - Tyler’s wife; forever 34
Ada, Oklahoma

Chanel Fenner’s Son

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
I am writing to you today as a proud member of the Oklahoma Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall
campaign, and as a grieving mother who lost her son, Rahman Jalil Fenner, “RJ”, to fentanyl
poisoning. He was 24 years old.
Rahman was a Godly man. He served the Lord. He was a member of Spread the Ministries
Worship Center in Lawton, Oklahoma, and was also a part of Mime Ministry, Drama Ministry, and
Y-ME Ministry. Three words to sum up his life are Faith, Family, and Love.
RJ graduated from Cache High School in 2016. After graduation he got a job at Ellis Construction
Company. He attended Oklahoma Community College and was due to graduate in December of
2022 with an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Studies.
He loved basketball, football, wrestling, and being with his family. He also loved the movies and
going to the lake and relaxing. He was a comedian who loved to make everyone laugh. He had a
strong passion for his family. RJ was a motivator to everyone around him. He was optimistic, a
great debater, and was always full of encouragement for whoever needed it. He was also the
best uncle.
On October 19, 2022, I was giving my grandchild a bath as I had done so many times before. It
was a normal evening. As I was focused on my task at hand, I heard a very loud thud from
upstairs. I was unsure of what it was, and then I heard my 17-year-old daughter scream in a way
that sounded unhuman. I knew immediately that something was terribly wrong. I rushed upstairs
to find RJ on the floor unresponsive. I am military and certified in CPR, but at that moment, I
forgot everything I knew. The 911 operator had to remind me of what to do. What I know now is
that he was already gone. No amount of CPR by me or the emergency personnel was going to
bring him back.
Our lives were forever changed that day. We will learn to cope and continue living but will also
carry the burden of a shattered heart that cannot be mended because a big piece is now
missing. I am a faithful person whose life is to serve the Lord. I am still in disbelief that something
like this could happen. Sadly, I am not alone in asking, “Why my child”?
This country is losing so many precious babies every day. They each had lives to live, plans to
follow through on, and memories just waiting to be made. Please help us honor our loved ones
with a Memorial Wall.
Thank you for your time.
Chanel Fenner – Rahman’s mom; forever 24
Edmond, Oklahoma

Cindy Bowling’s Son

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
My name is Cindy Bowling, and I am Jordan Birmingham’s mom. I lost my only birth-son
on July 26, 2015. In a million years I never dreamed of feeling grief like this. My first
husband died by suicide when Christian was four and Jordan was nine months old. As a
single parent I thought I was doing the best for my boys. We went to church, did all kinds
of sports, participated in all family events, but they both turned to drugs. Jordan was also
diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when he was eight years old.
Regardless of their horrible addiction, they were always so kind, loving, and giving to
anyone that was in need.
Jordan tried many rehabs and always struggled once he got out every single time. July 15
of 2015, he came back to my home for the last time. He got a job, went to a meeting, and
said, Mom, I will be okay. He spent time with his daughter and nephew when he wasn’t
working. He made plans for his future and seemed on track. He picked up his first
paycheck on July 25th, ran some errands, and then came home to get ready to celebrate
my 51st birthday on 26th. We woke up and found him not breathing on my front porch at
8:00 am. That’s when my world stopped.
I couldn’t imagine not watching him do all the fatherly things with and for his daughter,
Clara. He won’t get to give her away at her wedding. He can’t take her to her first dance.
He won’t get to help her buy her first car. I don’t get to kiss his sweet face and watch him
become a handsome older man.
It’s been almost eight years, and, by God’s grace, I know I will see Jordan in Heaven. How
wonderful that day will be.
Our loved ones need to be memorialized. They are not just numbers or statistics. They are
beautiful faces that were stolen from their families because of an epidemic that is getting
worse by the day.
We would all be forever grateful for this.
Thank you so much for your time.
Cindy Bowling – Jordan’s mom; forever 23
Clara Birmingham – Jordan’s daughter
Trace Bowling – Jordan’s nephew
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Cindy Morgan’s Son

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
My name is Cindy Morgan. I am a member of the First Ladies’ Drug Epidemic Memorial
Wall campaign. Our goal is to put up a Memorial Wall in all 50 State Capitol complexes to
honor our lost loved ones and continue to provide a voice for them. We are all victims of
this national drug epidemic. Our nation is better than this, and we need to continue to
shed light on this national drug crisis. To successfully do this, we need your help. Will
you help us let the nation know that WE, as Oklahomans, will do all we can to stop these
senseless deaths?
My son was a father to a beautiful daughter, a warm and loving son, brother to two, a son
to his father, and, lastly, best friend to his fiancé.
Nicholas Taylor Morgan was born 09/09/81. He was always my square root that loved
people and life to the fullest. Nick will forever be 40 years old. He was a big guy and
suffered from back pain. During his 20's and 30's he had three major back surgeries,
resulting in an addiction to opioids. He struggled for 20 years. At the time of his death,
he was alone with a severe case of Covid, 12/23/2021.
He was a warm, caring, and witty fellow that could light up a room the moment he
stepped into it. To be honest, I don't believe he had even one enemy. During his funeral
in Ardmore the entire sanctuary was packed, even though Nick graduated from Denver
and never really lived in Ardmore. He never knew a stranger,
Nick was the youngest of my three boys. He looked up to both of his brothers. His oldest
brother chose a career in law enforcement, specializing in drug interdiction. Life can be
cruel sometimes. Nick always wanted to be just like his big brother, but the drug
addiction caused many uncomfortable times for us all. His struggle caused him so much
unhappiness. He desired to be free from his addiction and went to many rehabilitation
centers voluntarily. Help was expensive and hard to find. Sometimes he was given a
drug to substitute for the illegal drug, but there was always someone around in his time of
need and weakness to sell him the answer he craved: Freedom from the horrible illness
he suffered from. His need for relief was always around the corner; a person ready to
steal Nick's life to make money and feed their own craving for money, power etc. There
was no regard for human life.
May this bright light that was tragically blotted out December of 2021 at least shine for
something. Nick forever 40.
Sincerely, with hopeful regards,
Cindy Morgan – Nick’s mom; forever 40
Ardmore, Oklahoma

Delana Pritchard’s Son

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
My name is Delana Pritchard. I am the distraught, broken-hearted mother of Gavin Riley
Long. He died August 31, 2022, at the age of 24 from fentanyl poisoning.
Gavin was a brown-eyed beauty with brown fuzzy hair and the biggest smile that would
brighten up any room. Gavin was a people pleaser and wanted everyone to always be
happy. He was a hard worker. He was a city kid turned country. From brush hogging the
pasture, tilling the garden, feeding the animals, building fences, or taking a deck apart, he
was always willing to lend a helping hand. He loved his family dearly. Gavin was the best
son, brother, grandson, uncle, cousin, fiancé, and friend.
Gavin’s hopes and dreams for his future are gone, no wedding, no children, no life. One
bad choice, and our lives are tragically changed forever.
We are fighting a war against an epidemic that is killing our children. The dead cannot cry
out for themselves. It is up to us to be their voice! Please help us fight by adding your
voice to ours for everyone that has died from overdose or poisoning, and for every family
member that has suffered a loss at the hands of addiction. THEIR LIVES MATTER!!!
Help us honor our loved ones and bring awareness with our Oklahoma Drug Epidemic
Memorial Wall.
Thank you,
Delana Pritchard - Gavin’s mom; forever 24
Bristow, Oklahoma

Diane Klaus Searle’s Daughter

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
Our Jillian was a funny, full of life, beautiful girl who brought much joy to our family. She
loved her family and friends and had a beautiful singing voice. Jillian was the fourth out of
five children and has two brothers and two sisters.
Jillian thought she was never popular enough when she went to middle school, so she
started smoking weed with friends. Shortly after, Jillian had a root canal and was
prescribed opiates. When her prescription ran out, her boyfriend, that was older than her,
introduced her to heroin for the first time.
Our sweet girl struggled with getting clean. She tried so many times for four years.
On March 21, 2018, Jillian’s younger sister and I found her in her room unresponsive from
an accidental heroin overdose.
The person who sold her the heroin that took her life has been charged with her murder. It
doesn’t bring our sweet Jillian back, but justice will be served, and he will never destroy
another family.
On behalf of our family, will you please help us get a Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall put up
to honor our lost loved ones to this opioid crisis?
Thank you for your consideration,
Diane Klaus Searle – Jillian’s mom; forever 19
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Dianna Hurt Carlyle’s Son

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
Scotty was born January 10, 1989. Our son was full of love. He said, “Everybody should love one
another the same.” I’ve been told, “Everyone who knows Scotty loves Scotty, and everyone
knows Scotty!” He never tried to overshadow anyone but made everybody else’s light shine.
From a trampoline injury to football and hockey wounds, small pain pills helped. That grew.
Scotty was a valued asset for several years at Go Fresh in Tulsa. They treated him like family.
He was a talented musician. He left us nine songs he wrote and sang. He was a lyricist and
creative artist, specializing in graffiti. Skateboarding was a hobby for him growing up. He was
now just beginning the best chapter of his life.
He finally made it back home to Tulsa and was happy because he was near his friends whom he
cherished until his last breath. We were roommates for his last five years, so I know a lot about
his habits as an adult. I saw his struggles and his courage as he quit heroin and fentanyl cold
turkey. He won the last two years and two months of his life. He won!
Scotty was the friend who had everyone’s back, even when they were wrong. Several have told
me he was always there with the right thing to say to encourage and uplift. He was happiest
when he was with good friends. He enjoyed going to concerts with them.
We had traditions. On our birthday we’d take the others to Red Lobster for dinner. He loved his
Chevy Impala SS. I helped him buy it as a project car. We named her Cecilia after his
grandfather, Rev. Cecil Hurt, 33rd degree. Scotty was the lead singer in a garage band. They
used our garage, but I can’t remember the name of the band. I just know that I knew where he
was, and I knew he was safe.
Years bring change. Scotty dealt with deep depression from childhood traumas and feeling his
friends didn’t really love him. He went deeper within himself. They loved him but weren’t as
supportive in action. In public, he put on a smile. Even at his lowest, he was there for friends who
needed a shoulder or kind words. He didn’t understand that not everyone is as actively loving as
he. Agape Love shone from him like a bright light.
Scotty was very photogenic, and he never missed a photo op. He was so smart. Although, he
only made good grades when he wanted to. I learned just how smart he was when he was living
with me as a roommate, budgeting bills, designing living spaces, and cooking things. It was a
nice surprise.
We are asking for your support and recognition of our loved ones. Please consider memorializing
all of those lost to fentanyl and the drug epidemic in Oklahoma, on a Memorial Wall.
I could write about Scotty all day, but I’ll end with this. My life is gone. I’ll never be the same. The
one who loved me was ripped away. It’s a life sentence.
Dianna Hurt Carlyle – Scotty’s mom; forever 33
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Donna-Kay Drewry’s Son
Brittany Widenhouse’s Brother

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
My name is Donna-Kay Drewry. I lost my son, Tyler Widenhouse, to fentanyl poisoning on
Feb 19th, 2023. I was a mom of three. Tyler arrived in June 1992. He was a baby brother
to Randy and Brittany. He was my most adventurous child. He loved everyone and did not
hate a soul. When he was in the third grade, he was awarded the “biggest heart” of his
grade. He wore that paper-made heart all week. He loved cool cars since the age of five.
He loved his family so very much. He was a great brother, son, uncle, and grandson. He
took a lot of pride in his morals and work ethic. I love him so much & miss him more every
single day.
We are asking that Oklahoma acknowledges that our loved one’s lives’ mattered. I would
never want anyone to experience the heartbreak that we, his family, have endured due to
the fentanyl crisis.
Please help & support our Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall so we can honor our loved ones.
Thank you,
Donna-Kay Drewry - Tyler’s mom; forever 30
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Dear First Lady Stitt,
My name is Brittany Widenhouse. I lost my little brother, Tyler Widenhouse, at only 30
years old on February 19, 2023, due to fentanyl poisoning. Tyler had two siblings, me, and
our older brother, Randy. Tyler unfortunately never got the opportunity to have children of
his own, but he was the best uncle to his nieces and nephew. He is so deeply missed by
them every single day.
Tyler loved fast cars and gaming. He was the light to any room he entered and had such a
contagious smile. Anyone who knew Tyler knew he would take the shirt off his back for
anyone. He always kept us laughing. I believe there is nobody he met that didn’t instantly
like him. His funeral in Lawton was standing room only. It was amazing to see.
The night Tyler passed away, he was over 40 days sober and two weeks out of his first
rehab. He was starting his new dream job the following morning as a lead optician at an
optical business in Oklahoma City. He had his clothes laid out and was very proud when
he called to show me his outfit. Little did I know I would be burying him in those exact
same clothes the following Friday.
Tyler decided to make one last mistake that changed all our lives and, in turn, took his.
After going to the dollar store for hangers to hang his clothes up for the next day, he never
returned. My stepdad decided to go look for him. He was found dead in my mom’s car
outside the Dollar General. My mom still can’t drive her car.
Tyler always had dreams. He always tried to do better and be better. He was finally at the
point in life he had been reaching for over three years. I’m not sure why he made that last
mistake, but he did. His death dealer is still walking the streets making money by
poisoning people with no regrets, no shame, and no regard for human life.
As a sister, I feel the need to keep his name alive by drawing attention & awareness to this
pandemic. I believe that a simple way to do that would be a Memorial Wall honoring the
people who have been lost to drugs in Oklahoma. It would be very impactful. We are
asking simply for your support and willingness to do this.
Sincerely,
Brittany Widenhouse, Tyler’s sister; forever 30
Elgin, Oklahoma

Intentional Blank Page

Gina Hunter’s Ex-Husband
Jessica & Lindsay Ferman’s Father

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt:
We are writing you as a family who lost a loved one requesting that Oklahoma acknowledge and
honor our loved ones that are the victims of the growing drug crisis in our Nation by erecting a
Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall in all our state capitols across the United States. Until we see the
names, the faces, we will not know of the generation being lost to this epidemic. While many of
us wait on justice for our family member’s death, we all seek awareness and seek answers for
treatment options and how to end this crisis, as no family should have to go through this loss. We
need your help, your voice, to make our voices heard.
My former husband, Todd Ferman, was an airline mechanic for over 20 years. We grew up
together. He had a good heart and was always helping others out. He had a side business and
often was either helping someone with a car that had broken down or simply offering what he
had to a stranger. When an injury at work caused him to have resultant shoulder surgery, he
was prescribed opioids and quickly became addicted. He lost his marriage. His visits with his
two daughters were supervised. He lost his job and his home and became homeless in the last
few years of his life. His addiction cost him everything, including his life. At the age of 53, on
March 24, 2020, Todd died from a heroin overdose one day before a bed became available at a
rehab facility, he had been waiting on for over two months. I can tell you his death was life
changing for his daughters and for his parents who will never be the same.
From his daughters’ perspective: Our dad was a loving dad before addiction. We had times when
we did not hear from him that we knew he wasn’t well. In the months before he passed away, he
moved back home with our grandparents, and was seeing a doctor taking the anti-seizure
medication required by the rehab before they would admit him. He called every single day to
check his status on the wait list. We had hope that we would get our dad back! You don’t know
how many times we have thought through all the things we could have changed if we could. If
only there had been a bed available sooner, would he still be with us? If only his girlfriend hadn’t
wanted to see him one more time before he left, would we still have our dad today? Would we
have our dad to walk us down the aisle at our future weddings or to see our children someday?
If the McGirt Ruling had not gone into effect, would she have been prosecuted for providing a
lethal amount of heroin that she injected into him? Those answers are unknown. We can’t
change the past for our dad, but we CAN make sure that our dad is not FORGOTTEN. Will you
help us raise awareness so that someone else doesn’t go through what we have gone through in
losing someone we love to drugs?
Respectfully,
Gina Hunter – Todd’s ex-wife; forever 53
Jessica Ferman - Todd’s Daughter, Age 23
Lindsay Ferman, Todd’s Daughter, age 19
Bixby, Oklahoma

Janell Ponkilla’s Son

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
My name is Janell Ponkilla. I lost my first-born son, John (J.R.) Hunter, from fentanyl
poisoning on October 8, 2022. He is forever 42. John had three siblings, Randi, Corina,
and Alexis. He leaves behind two nieces and six nephews.
John was a beautiful young man with a gentle spirit and a heart of gold. I just can’t believe
he is really gone. I wake up every day missing him. I will never see him or hear his voice
telling me “I love you” before he ended his calls. My eyes are pouring out tears as I write
this.
Unless someone has lost their own child, they don’t understand the depths of grief. This
type of pain is indescribable.
Will you help the healing for our family, and every other family who has lost someone to
this fentanyl crisis, by putting up a Memorial Wall in their honor?
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Janell Ponkilla – John’s mom; forever 42
Little, Oklahoma

Jessica Kerrigan’s Son

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
My name is Jessica Kerrigan. I lost my 22-year-old son, Dakota, to fentanyl poisoning on
August 13, 2022.
I was blessed with twin boys at a very young age, and Dakota was the oldest. You might
say, we were all growing up at the same time. As a young mother, life wasn’t easy, but we
all did the best we could.
When Dakota was 14, he was involved in a hit and run accident. They lost him three times
as they worked to stabilize him. He suffered extensive injuries, including brain trauma,
which resulted in PTSD, neurological issues, and age regression. It also meant no more
sports. That was a big blow. Dakota was an athlete, standing 6’ 3” and weighing 230
pounds. Adjustments in Dakota’s life had to be made. To his credit, he managed to
successfully carve out a new way of life for himself, despite his limitations. I was a very
proud mom, and he was a very happy boy.
Dakota was my extrovert who always kept us laughing and entertained. He was also my
biggest cheerleader and fan. He tried to protect me his entire life. Regrettably, I couldn’t
protect him.
The night Dakota died we had a serious and meaningful conversation about getting him
into treatment the next day. Tomorrow was going to be a big day and a new start. To my
everlasting horror, for Dakota, tomorrow never came. I found him the next morning
deceased in his bed; an image I will be haunted by for the rest of my life.
My house is so quiet now. I miss the chaos of my funny boy. Sometimes, the silence is
deafening.
Please consider memorializing Dakota, and all of those lost to fentanyl in Oklahoma, on a
Memorial Wall.
Thank you for your time,
Jessica Kerrigan – Dakota’s mom; forever 22
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Jessica Mountjoy’s Daughter

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
Hello, my name is Jessica Mountjoy. On September 11, 2022, at 10:22 a.m., I got the call no
parent ever wants to get. My daughter, Skylen Shivers’, boyfriend called all upset. As he tried so
hard to tell me what was wrong, all he could say was, “Jessica, I am so sorry” over and over. I
then came to understand my special bonus daughter had died in her sleep. My daughter was 25
years old. She had no kids and had not gotten around to being married yet, although she had
found the love of her life, her boyfriend, Jere. The day she died we did not know what had taken
her life. We thought it had to do with a medical condition she was dealing with, but a few days
short of six months after her death I get the email from the medical examiner’s office. I opened it,
and I cannot tell you how shocked I was to ready Fentanyl Toxicity. WHAT! FENTANYL? How?
How could this be? How did she get ahold of that? In days to come I found answers to my
questions. She had gotten a pain pill that she thought was an oxy, but it was straight fentanyl; 43
ng/ml of her femoral blood, per her report.
I call her my special bonus daughter because, biologically, she is my niece, but her mom passed
away when she was just 20 months old. From the moment Skylen was born there was something
special about her. She had the biggest blue eyes, and a bright hug smile. She was so sweet,
caring, and loving. She had a heart of gold and would help anyone in need. Everyone was her
friend. She did not know a stranger. She was also sister to my three kids and my fighter against
the world.
Growing up Skylen was the life of the party. She was always saying or doing something to make
you laugh, like missing the sample question on her permit test. The question was, “What is 2+2?”
She answered 2. And then there was the time after passing her permit test when I let her drive,
she turned to me and said, ”the big one’s the brake, right?” Then there is the time she washed
her feet in a restaurant toilet after a softball practice because the other girls were all using the
sinks. It was never a boring moment with her around.
Skylen was head over heels for her nieces and nephews and her dog, Sophia. She loved to go
fishing, camping, hiking, and swimming in any body of water she could find. Her nieces and
nephews loved it when she took them to the park or stayed home and had crazy dance parties
with them.
As her mom, my heart has been crushed. Part of me died with her. The rest of the family and all
the lives that she touched have been changed forever. Skylen was murdered. She did not want
to die that night. All her dreams were shattered by one person. Someone very special was taken
from this world.
Please help us honor our loved ones taken by fentanyl and other drugs in Oklahoma with a
memorial wall.
Sincerely,
Jessica Mountjoy - Skylen Shivers’ bonus mom; forever 25
Inola, Oklahoma

Karen Compton’s Son

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
I am writing you this letter on behalf of my son, Joshua Compton-Lewis, and all the other people
in this state, and every state, who have been murdered by the deadly drug fentanyl, and now
xylazine.
Joshua was born on March 20, 1996, on the first day of spring. He was a happy little boy and my
only child. I loved him the moment I laid eyes on him.
Joshua loved having friends, the more the better. He also always had a little girlfriend or some
girl he liked. He had the most beautiful smile you’ve ever seen. He had a very infectious laugh,
and he made friends easily.
Josh was very smart and could make a good grade on any test, but he wasn’t much for
homework. He played sports of all kinds from the age four through 12. He decided skateboarding
was his thing, and he and his friends skateboarded almost every day. He loved clothes and
shoes and loved looking good.
In 8th grade I found out he had smoked marijuana. He told me he was having very bad anxiety.
We made the rounds of psychiatrists to no avail. The meds he was given never seemed to work.
He was never given an anti-anxiety pill because, according to the doctor, they are too addictive. I
thought weed was low on the risk of drugs, in general, so I was glad it wasn’t any worse. He got
caught with it, and once he was in the court system, things only got worse.
Unfortunately, Josh felt defeated by his court charges and began experimenting with a few other
drugs. He never had a real problem until he got talked into heroin by someone, he’d been friends
with since grade school. He was soon addicted. I only found out because his girlfriend told me.
The day I found out, I told him I was sending him to rehab.
He was in and out of rehab about six times. The last time he came home from rehab he went to a
party with three close friends. He was given heroin laced with fentanyl. The three guys just
watched him die. I didn’t find out until the next day, August 22, 2018. He had been gone for
hours. He was just 22 years old.
I was completely devastated, and still am. I have no family left. My son will never get married. He
will never have children, which he loved. He will never have a career or any adult life.
Please help us by helping other families never go through this horrible pain. We are asking for
your support and recognition of our loved ones. Consider memorializing all of those lost to the
drug epidemic in Oklahoma, on a Memorial Wall.
Thank you for your time, Mrs. Stitt.
Sincerely,
Karen Compton – Joshua’s mom; forever 22
Norman, Oklahoma

Kristi Russell’s Daughter

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
My name is Kristi Russell. I am an ambassador of the First Ladies’ Drug Epidemic
Memorial Wall campaign in Oklahoma. Our goal is to have a Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall
put up in all 50 State Capitol complexes to honor our loved ones as victims of this drug
crisis in our Nation.
To successfully do this, we need your help.
I lost my precious daughter, Taylor Alexis Russell, on March 3, 2016. She is deeply missed
by her sister and two brothers, who will now have to grow old without their little sister, and
by the more than 500 people who attended her funeral.
I can’t tell you about her adult accolades, as we lost her when she was only 18, but what I
can tell you about is the baby of our family.
When Alex was just eight years old, she started playing basketball on her 12-year-old
brother’s AAU basketball team. That made her tough! She continued to play basketball,
and at the age of 12, went on to be coached by OCU’s women’s assistant coach. Their
team made it to AAU National’s in Florida, and despite only having three players for the
last game, they only lost by 1 and placed 6th in the nation. She was the only one of her
teammates to be included in the inaugural edition of AAU’s Who’s Who at 12 years old.
She had a bright future ahead of her before drugs took that away.
She loved kids and wanted to be a teacher. Despite not graduating high school, she was
one test away from getting her GED. College was in her sights, until that one fateful night.
She was loyal. She was caring. She was fierce. She believed Jesus Christ was her Lord
and Savior. She was everything, and she IS so loved.
We appreciate your thoughtful help in this matter and look forward to meeting with you.
Kristi Russell – Alexis’ mom; forever 18
Yukon, Oklahoma

Laureen Vasquez’s Son

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
My name is Laureen Vasquez. I am a member of the First Ladies’ Drug Epidemic
Memorial Wall campaign. I lost my son, Eric Talbert Vasquez, to fentanyl poisoning on
November 13, 2021. He is forever 36. Our family is devastated by his loss.
Eric was born with a birth injury that resulted in many difficulties he had to contend with in
his life, including learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, mental illness, and seizures.
He had a happy life, despite these obstacles. Eric lived with his dad, brother, and me. He
also had a sister. We were a close-knit and happy family. We traveled together often.
Eric was friends with everyone. His best friends were Lucas and Lauren. They loved each
other very much. His favorite activities were skateboarding and riding bikes with his
friends. Although he wasn’t a fan of school, he continued to work hard toward the goal of
getting his high school diploma. His sister will be throwing some of his ashes into the
ocean when she visits Florida over Eric’s birthday, September 9th, in remembrance of her
beloved brother.
The warrior women of Oklahoma request your assistance in helping us place a Memorial
Wall in our State Capitol complex to honor our lost loved ones as victims to this opioid
crisis our Nation is facing.
Sincerely,
Laureen Vasquez – Eric’s mom; forever 36
Norman, Oklahoma

Linda Emmert’s Son

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
My name is Linda Emmert. I lost my son, Jason, to fentanyl poisoning.
Jason was a remarkable person. He loved Jesus, sports, OU football, hockey, and the
NFL. Jason was funny. When he walked into a room, the room lit up, and he always had
people laughing. He did comedy and worked a full-time job. He performed at the Loony
Bin, The Brady, and Improv.
Jason struggled with drugs and alcohol since he was 15 years old. He had been clean and
sober for ten years, but he relapsed. Thankfully, he made it back to recovery. This last time
he had eight years clean.
His drug of choice was opiates, although, any drug would do close to the end. After nine
months of trying to get back to recovery, he overdosed, and he was gone. This horrible
disease of addiction won and took the life of my handsome, funny, lovable, compassionate
son.
My heart is shattered forever.
Please consider memorializing our lost loved ones with a Memorial Wall.
Thank you for your time,
Linda Emmert – Jason’s mom; forever 47
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Lynne Leapline’s Son

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
My name is Lynne Leapline. We lost our son, Chase, to fentanyl poisoning. Our lives will
never be the same. Chase was a warm, loving son who was just trying to find his place in
this world. He didn’t deserve this.
When I got that call on November 4th, 2022, I was in shock. We never knew he was taking
anything. He had dinner with us a few days earlier and was excited because he was up for
a promotion at his new job that he had started eight weeks prior. He had no idea when he
took that pill someone gave him that he would never wake up again.
Chase was very smart and a talented musician. He had just reconnected with an old
friend, and they were planning big things in the music world. I was hopeful about one day
being a grandma, but now I will never have that chance. I didn’t get to say goodbye to my
son. I think that is what hurts the most.
This drug and the people selling it need to get off the streets. It’s not fair to any of us to
have to go through what we are. We are asking that you please consider helping us to
build a Memorial Wall for our loved ones so they may be remembered.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Lynne Leapline – Chase’s mom; forever 34
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Michelle Shannon’s Daughter

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
My name is Michelle Shannon. My daughter, Meagan Tyre, passed away April 25th, 2018, of
fentanyl poisoning at our home in Tulsa. Meagan was 26 years old and had such a bright future.
Meagan loved life and was a Christian that loved church. She loved dogs and did volunteer work
for them. She loved her family fiercely and her dog, Rylee. She grew up playing softball as a
pitcher most of her life. She spent a good part of her life traveling all over the country playing at
the highest level with the goal of playing college softball.
At 16 years old she fractured her back while playing. She was too young for surgery, so the
doctor’s solution was a back brace for three months and an introduction to opioid pain pills. This
began her awful journey of addiction that she battled for ten years. It is heartbreaking to watch
your child struggle in pain and then also become addicted to pain pills. As the years passed and
prescriptions were more difficult for her to obtain, she started trying street drugs to ease the pain.
Then, on this dreadful day, April 25th, 2018, she was given a fatal dose of fentanyl that she
thought was heroin.
I had to experience what no parent should, and that is finding your child unconscious and having
to start CPR until paramedics arrive. After three days in the hospital, she was declared brain
dead. Meagan donated her organs that saved four lives from this tragedy. Meagan was my only
child, my best friend, and my world! My life is forever changed because of fentanyl!
I am writing with the hope that you will join the fight for our loved ones by helping assist us in
putting up a Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall in Oklahoma to share their memory and spread
awareness. Meagan’s picture is displayed on the DEA Faces of Fentanyl Wall at the DEA
Museum in Arlington, Virginia. Our goal is to have a Memorial Wall in all 50 states. We would
love for you, and Oklahoma, to set an example by helping us get our Oklahoma Memorial Wall
into production. This will show that Oklahoma is taking this opioid epidemic seriously and cares
what is happening to our loved ones. My child shouldn’t just be a statistic. With your help, she,
and so many others, can live on in memoriam. The grieving mothers who are driving this
campaign have accomplished so much already with a Virtual Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall for
every state, but this is not enough. We want an actual wall that will make a lasting statement!
As Meagan’s mother, I am determined to keep her memory alive. I believe a Memorial Wall with
the names and faces of those lost to drugs in Oklahoma is a simple, yet impactful, way to do this.
I appreciate you taking the time to read this letter and consider our request. Thank you for your
support!
Michelle Shannon – Meagan’s mom; forever 26
Sapulpa, Oklahoma

Nancy Solomon’s Son

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
My name is Nancy Solomon. I lost my son, Joseph, to fentanyl poisoning.
Joseph was funny, kind, adventurous, and fearless. He had an infectious laugh, and his
smile would light up the room. He had a great childhood, numerous friends, and the most
loving family.
Joseph struggled with addiction. He had been to privately paid rehab twice. Knowing what
we know now, 30 days is NEVER enough! He was so happy, ready, and excited to start
fresh, free from the addiction he hated. He had plans. Instead, on December 1, 2021, his
father found him deceased on his bedroom floor in our home. Toxicology revealed 100%
of the dangerous, highly addictive, and deadly fentanyl, and nothing else. Our Joseph was
poisoned and murdered!
Even today, nearly a year-and-a-half later, we still feel numb and shattered.
We want Oklahoma to acknowledge that our loved ones’ lives mattered. We don’t want
any others to be subjected to the heartbreak we, his family, have endured due to the
fentanyl crisis.
We are asking for your support and recognition of our loved ones. Please consider
memorializing all of those lost to fentanyl and the drug epidemic in Oklahoma, on a
Memorial Wall.
We give it to Jesus to carry us through our hurt and heal the sorrowful places in our heart,
as we await justice for our beloved Joseph; forever 40.
Sincerely,
Nancy Solomon – Joseph’s mom; forever 40
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Natasha Williams’ Sister

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
My name is Natasha Williams. I now reside in Dallas, Texas, but I lost my sister, Doretta,
in Lawton, Oklahoma on June 12, 2020, from fentanyl poisoning.
My sister was a mother, a sister, a daughter, and a friend. She was caring, compassionate,
creative, and could brighten up a room. She was funny, blunt, and had a confident and
powerful presence. Her energy was contagious.
She left behind five children, four daughters and one son. My sister and I were very close
and always took care of each other. I find myself now in a position where I am being put to
the ultimate test of love and loyalty, as I have taken in all five of her children, my nieces
and nephews. I was a single mother with one child prior to her death. I now have a house
full of children under my care because she was taken from us by deception. She didn’t
want to die. She adored her children and her family and would never have left them or us,
if she had had a say. Sadly, she trusted when she shouldn’t have. The price for that was
her life, and now five children will grow up without their mother.
Fentanyl poisoning is destroying our State, and this Country, one fatality at a time. It does
not discriminate. Doretta is proof that it can happen to anyone.
Please help us with our Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall so we can honor our lost loved
ones.
Thank you,
Natasha Williams – Doretta’s sister; forever 37
Dallas, Texas

Rebekah Brown’s Son

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
My name is Rebekah Brown. I am a mom who lost her 18-year-old son, Cole Brown, to a
fake Percocet that was laced with fentanyl. I am writing to you, not only as a mother, but
as a member and supporter of The First Ladies’ Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall campaign
in Oklahoma. Our goal is to have a Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall put up in all 50 State
Capitol complexes to honor our loved ones as victims of this drug crisis in our Nation. We
are asking for your help to make this happen in Oklahoma.
My son was stolen away, poisoned, and deceived on September 2, 2021, the worst day of
my life. Who was my son? He was an amazing person. Anyone who called him a friend
was truly blessed. He would give the shirt off his back if you needed it. He was very softhearted
and the kindest, most caring person you could ever meet. He loved his family, and
we loved him. He had just graduated high school and was going to enroll in the electrical
apprenticeship here in Tulsa.
He had so many plans and lots of life left ahead of him when it was all cut short by one
fake Percocet that was full of fentanyl. He made one mistake, and it took his life away from
him and our family! He is greatly missed every single day by his family and friends. Our
lives will never be the same since his death. 18 years just wasn’t enough.
Thank you for your consideration in helping us honor our children and our loved ones that
have lost their lives to this poison, and for helping us to make this wall happen here in
Oklahoma in their memory.
Rebekah Brown – Cole’s mom; forever 18
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Shay Surowiak’s Son

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
As a fellow mom and Oklahoman, I am writing to you today to share with you about my beloved
son, Isaiah. Isaiah’s life was tragically taken by fentanyl poisoning on May 11, 2021, at the age of
24. He was the adoring father to Zion RiverBear Potter and loving companion to Zion’s mother,
Francesca Vazquez. He was a cherished son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, God Son, and
a close friend to many.
Isaiah was a proud member of the Cheyenne-Arapaho tribe. He grew up in Coweta, Oklahoma,
graduating from Coweta High School in 2015. He served as vice-president of the National Junior
Honor Society and was a member of the National Honor Society throughout high school. He was
a member of the debate team, the archery team, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He
was an avid camper. He played football, basketball, track, ping-pong, and baseball. He always
set the trend for a new haircut and was freshly dressed. His friends selected him as “Best
Dressed” multiple years in a row.
He chose to pursue his college career at Oral Roberts University (ORU) in Tulsa. He was
currently a senior at ORU and was due to graduate in December 2021.
Isaiah loved learning about unique cultures and religions and was an enthusiastic traveler. He
had a special ability to decipher what made people “tick” and connect with them through their
interests.
He was blessed with a natural ability for the arts. He was gifted in both acting and singing and
was a self-taught pianist. He was a current member of Guts Church in Tulsa where he and his
family began attending in 2007.
Isaiah, Frankie, and Zion enjoyed singing bedtime songs, swinging, going on walks, visiting the
Gathering Place and getting stylish haircuts and cool “kicks”. Isaiah was currently employed by
Trenton Public Schools as a Paraprofessional. He loved making a difference in the lives of his
students.
Isaiah loved to convince others to do things that he would never do, like stir up a red wasp nest
or eat a ghost pepper and then laugh endlessly at their surprise and outrage. He was a profound
thinker. He enjoyed challenging people’s beliefs and entering deep conversations about
controversial subjects.
Isaiah’s bright smile, curious mind, warm hugs, and loving heart will never be forgotten. We will
forever feel the loss and emptiness of his absence. Isaiah fought his battles with fierce support
from everyone who loved him. He desired a purposeful life but wasn’t given the chance. Please
help us find purpose by honoring our loved ones with a Memorial Wall.
With warmest regards,
Shay Surowiak – Isaiah’s mom; forever 24
Coweta, Oklahoma

Shelby Salazar’s Brother

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
My name is Shelby Salazar. I lost my brother, Ty, to fentanyl poisoning on May 11, 2020.
Tyler “Ty” William Hughes was 22 years old when he was found unresponsive in his bed in
our family home.
He worked two jobs and had recently established some goals and aspirations for his life.
He passed away a few short weeks prior to his 23rd birthday. Ty had accepted a friend’s
offer to grab him a Roxy from a dealer. The one pill that Ty ingested was predicted to be
+90% fentanyl.
We don’t know why he took the pill. He was scheduled to have his third shoulder surgery
soon. Was he in pain? Could he have been depressed? At 22, did he think he was
invincible? These are questions we will never have answers to.
Many who knew Ty believe that had he known about fentanyl and the fatal statistics, or
had he known about overdose prevention, or had he had access to mental health and
addiction resources, he would still be here with us today.
Please join us in honoring all of those lost to fentanyl, and other drugs, in Oklahoma by
helping us with our Memorial Wall.
A brokenhearted, big sister,
Shelby Salazar – Ty’s sister; forever 22
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Stacy Clemandot’s Son

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
Unfortunately, my son, Rider’s, story is not uncommon, but it is special to me.
Rider had a great sense of humor and loved to make people laugh. He was always there for
anyone who needed someone to talk to or just some positive words of encouragement. Rider
loved all his family, but he often said that his greatest love was for his nephew and nieces. He
absolutely adored them. Rider had his demons, but he could always be counted on to be fiercely
loyal and love unconditionally.
Rider started his path to addiction in Junior High School as his anxiety was getting worse. He
had been talking to a friend about his anxiety. His friend handed him Lortab from his father’s
medicine cabinet. They made him feel better. Soon, Rider was completely addicted and
struggled the rest of his short life.
Rider’s senior year in high school he learned that he wouldn’t be graduating with his friends
because he was short on credits. He took the news very hard. Later that month, he was given
morphine tablets by another friend. He overdosed and was saved by Narcan.
Rider tried six different drug rehab centers. He completed four, left early once, and passed away
at the last. At the fifth rehab facility, tests were run that revealed that his liver didn’t process
medication like everyone else. His medications were changed, and it wasn’t long before he was
addicted to benzodiazepines.
He decided on his own to go back to treatment in Memphis. He took a large amount of Klonopin
for the flight. He passed away in his bed that night at the treatment facility and was found in his
bed the next morning.
We were told by the treatment facility that Rider’s story was being shared with all the other
facilities to prevent this from happening to anyone else. I know he would be happy about that.
I tell our story in hopes of saving another mom from grieving a lost child. The pain never gets any
easier. Warning parents through awareness is so important. Also, Narcan saves lives and should
be available everywhere. The last thing that’s needed is to advocate to stop the stigma of
addiction and mental illness.
Never judge. Everyone has a story that brought them to this place in their lives. We are asking
for your support and recognition of our loved ones. Please consider memorializing all of those
lost to the drug epidemic in Oklahoma, on a Memorial Wall.
Thank you for taking the time to read Rider’s story.
Sincerely,
Stacy Clemandot – Rider’s mom; forever 21
Princeton, Texas

Teresa Wood’s Son

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
I’m writing to you with a painful heart. I would like to introduce you to my handsome,
loving, caring, and highly intelligent son, Benjamin “Tyler” Wagner. He was taken from this
earth at the young age of 26. Tyler was not only my youngest child, but my best friend and
business partner.
He had some struggles with depression and anxiety throughout his short life. He had
been in rehab for a year as a result of drug addiction from self-medicating. When he came
out of rehab, he was back to his kind, caring, and loving self, helping others with
encouragement to beat the disease.
Tyler and I started a lawn, weed, and pest control business. He worked extremely hard to
study and gain all the knowledge he needed for his licenses to make his business a
success. He worked from sun-up to sun-down to promote his business.
On July 6, 2022, I lost contact with him. This was highly unusual. He would contact me
numerous times a day in regard to business or just to say, “I love you, Mom”. On July 7th,
2022, I reported him and the work truck missing with the Oklahoma City Police
Department. Unfortunately, my son was found on July 10th deceased and decomposed in
the truck. It was the worst day of my life!
After many calls to the ME’s office and the OKC Police to try to get answers, I still don’t
have all the answers. It took six months to find out the cause of death: Fentanyl
poisoning! I pray daily the person(s) responsible for murdering my son will be held
accountable someday. Hopefully sooner, rather than later. There are precious lives at
stake.
From what I’ve been told, there is no investigation into who these monsters are that killed
my son. I can only hope, pray, and fight for stricter laws, punishment, and additional
resources to help fight this epidemic that’s killing our beautiful youth in this state and
throughout the US.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Teresa Wood - Tyler’s mom; forever 26
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Tammy Posey’s Son

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
My name is Tammy Posey. I am a resident of Oklahoma and a heartbroken mom. I lost my
youngest son, Benjamin Ryan Posey, to an accidental overdose on January 11, 2017. He
was only 28.
Ben was a great son who grew into an awesome young man. He was also a brother,
uncle, cousin, nephew, and grandson. Ben was funny and well-loved with lots of friends.
He gave the best hugs and had the best laugh ever. He loved his family, friends, and his
“life”. Ben was always willing to help others in need. Even when he didn’t have the means
to do so, he found a way.
I believe Ben had a servant’s heart. Ben was so much more than his addiction. Yes, he
struggled with his disease, but he never struggled when it came to prioritizing his family
and friends. We were always at the top of his list. Addiction stole Ben’s life, as well as his
future, and broke the hearts of all of us that loved him.
Addiction does not discriminate. This disease crosses all lines of common decency and is
more powerful than the love and support family and friends provide. The ripple effect that
addiction has had on our family is tragic, sad, and heartbreaking. Sadly, this ripple will
continue forever.
I am a member and supporter of the First Ladies’ Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall Campaign
in Oklahoma. Our goal is to have a Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall put up in all 50 State
Capital complexes to honor our loved ones that are victims of the drug crisis in our nation.
I am personally asking for your help because Benjamin’s life mattered.
Respectfully,
Tammy Posey - Benjamin’s mom; forever 28
Edmond, Oklahoma

Oklahoma Photo Scrolling Wall:
ok.drugepidemicmemorial.org
National Teen Scrolling Wall Of Photos:
https://wall.drugepidemicmemorial.org/photos/teens
National Scrolling Wall Of Photos:
https://wall.drugepidemicmemorial.org/photos
National Scrolling Wall Of Names:
https://wall.drugepidemicmemorial.org/

Awareness
Campaigns
School And Community Prevention Tools
I AM A FORCE FOR CHANGE - SCHOOL/COMMUNITY
PREVENTION TOOLS
Manual For Advocates
I AM A FORCE CHNAGE- PREVENTION MANUAL FOR ADVOCATES
Please feel free to share for awareness, prevention and memorials.
To be included on the Memorial Walls go to:
wall.drugepidemicmemorial.org

Direct state links for slideshows
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