In the cozy studios of the Henryetta online newspaper, Mornings with Missy host Missy Nash creates a space where raw emotion meets community spirit. On this episode, aired amid the buzz of small-town Oklahoma life, two remarkable women from Weleetka laid bare their souls—sharing losses, triumphs, and a fierce dedication to their hometown. Bobbie Sue Jocelyn revealed the quiet ache of grief that fuels her community work, while Cheryl Leeper unpacked layers of military valor, artistic passion, and a philosophy of “longer tables” over walls. What started as a chat about local events unfolded into profound revelations, proving that sometimes the biggest secrets are the ones that bind us closer.

Bobbie Sue Jocelyn: Honoring Legacy Through Outlaw Day

Bobbie Sue Jocelyn arrived in the studio with a nervous laugh and a mismatched coffee cup from a 20-year-old Walmart set—one she doesn’t even use for coffee, opting instead for Dr. Pepper. “I don’t drink coffee,” she admitted with a grin, setting a light tone before diving into heavier waters. Hailing from Weleetka, Oklahoma, Bobbie works at West Watkins Technology Center in nearby Wetumka and is a mother of four. But her voice softened when she spoke of her son, Seth, who passed away three years ago. “He’s always with you, isn’t he?” Missy empathized, and Bobbie nodded: “Yes. Always with you.” It’s this enduring presence that keeps her “busy,” channeling energy into Weleetka’s beloved annual celebration—now rebranded as Outlaw Day.

What began in 1978 as Pride Day has evolved into a vibrant nod to the town’s “Outlaw” high school mascot, a change Bobbie and co-organizer Katie Burton-Greer spearheaded after taking the reins post-COVID hiatus. “We decided to change the name to represent our community and the school,” Bobbie explained. Slated for September 6th, the full-day extravaganza transforms Main Street into a hub of fun, food, and fellowship, drawing locals and visitors alike.

The lineup is packed: A town breakfast by the First Baptist Church kicks things off at 7:30 a.m. for $7, followed by a fun run/walk at the MJ Arena. By 9:30 a.m., vendors and food trucks line the streets, with a rib cook-off underway (competitors bring their own ribs starting at 8 a.m.). At 10:30 a.m., a car and bike show revs up, alongside a kiddie parade that leads into the grand parade. Afternoon highlights include bounce houses, a mechanical bull, games near the church at 1:30 p.m., and a karaoke contest from 1 to 5 p.m.—with a $500 first-place prize judged impartially by an out-of-towner. “We had quite a few contestants last year,” Bobbie recalled. “We were shocked… some real talent came out.” A poker run registers at 3 p.m., and cooling stations offer relief from the Oklahoma heat. An alumni softball game is in the works but still tentative. “Stay tuned,” Bobbie urged.

For Bobbie, Outlaw Day isn’t just events—it’s a lifeline. In a town where community is everything, it’s her way of keeping Seth close while inviting others to build memories. “Everybody come out and have fun,” she signed off, her invitation as warm as the September sun.

Cheryl Leeper: From Desert Battlefields to Pottery Hearts—A Life of Compassion

As the show segued into its second half, Missy introduced Cheryl Leeper with a story straight out of a feel-good movie. Larry Three Trees, a mutual connection at the Henryetta dealership, had played matchmaker after Missy described her dream guest: a “vivacious dynamo” who bakes killer peach cobbler. “That’s Cheryl Leeper,” Larry declared, and soon the two were chatting so long that Cheryl teased Missy about getting “the stink eye” from her boss. Their instant bond set the stage for Cheryl’s multifaceted tale—one woven with military grit, artistic soul, and a bakery born of cultural bridges.

Cheryl’s Weleetka roots run deep, but her story spans continents. A 26-year Army veteran (mostly Reserves, with active duty stints), she joined as a single mom seeking stable housing overseas. “I was a nurse—my mom said, ‘You better be a nurse so you can eat,'” Cheryl shared, chuckling at the practical wisdom that steered her from dreams of painting Paris streets. Stationed in San Antonio after basic training, she climbed ranks swiftly but prioritized family, transitioning to Reserves. That choice led to her defining moment: a call to active duty during Desert Storm.

Peeling back layers like an onion, Cheryl revealed her “biggest secret”—not a scandal, but the unvarnished truth of combat nursing. Activated in Denver, she deployed to a sweltering evac hospital in the Iraqi desert, far from the cold Northern Warfare Training she’d prepped for in Alaska’s glaciers. “We saw 5,000 patients with 20 nurses,” she recounted. “135-degree weather, Scud missiles overhead, working 20-hour shifts in MOPP gear.” Hiding under a stretcher during an alert while tending a heart-attack patient, she pondered escape routes that didn’t exist. Yet, she endured. “That prepares you for most anything,” Missy reflected, and Cheryl agreed: It’s why she’s traded sand for Oklahoma’s “green country,” where trees signal water—a balm after the desert.

Back home, Cheryl’s compassion shines through her art and activism. A lifelong artist (she earned a museum scholarship at age nine), she pivoted from nursing to pottery after decades of canvas work. “I’m a better potter,” she said, unveiling her “Compassion Cup”—a handmade vessel etched with a heart, symbolizing self-love as the root of empathy. “Compassion begins within ourselves,” she taught, echoing lessons from mentoring kids in pottery. Her philosophy? “Build longer tables, not taller doors.” It’s the ethos behind her veterans’ tribute during Outlaw Day: a 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. meet-and-greet on Main Street, where vets share photos and stories. Inspired by local Medal of Honor recipient Bennie Adkins (whom she met during her inaugural 2006 art walk), Cheryl partners with the Four Kings motorcycle group to foster dialogue. “It’s healing for the veteran,” she said. “You never know a person until you sit down and talk.”

Cheryl’s impact ripples further with Mavis, her bakery evoking “c’est la vie” (that’s life)—a nod to her mother’s beauty shop. Nestled in Weleetka, it’s a haven of Bohemian and Lithuanian-inspired treats, drawing from her Nebraska upbringing amid diverse immigrant enclaves. “We lived between bakeries,” she reminisced. “Good food brings healing—sit down, share from the same platter.” Locals affectionately mangle the name to “Mavis,” but the mission is clear: Cross-cultural conversations over cobbler, fostering unity in a divided world.

Lessons from the Heart: Don’t Give Up, Build the Table

As the episode wrapped, Cheryl’s advice to the next generation cut deep: “Don’t give up. Narrow your vision amid all the options—get back to basics like compassion and neighborhood responsibility.” For single moms like her younger self, she urged faith, persistence, and seeking “positive people” in churches and communities. “Pain is pain, but if you just keep trying, there’s always a way.”

Missy beamed, crediting encounters like these for filling her own cup. “It takes community,” she said, sealing a friendship that promises more stories. In Weleetka’s outlaw spirit, Bobbie and Cheryl remind us: Secrets shared aren’t burdens—they’re bridges. Whether you’re mourning a loss, honoring a hero, or simply craving cobbler, pull up a chair. The table’s getting longer.