Sylvia Jeanine Hailey

Jeanine Hailey was born on November 23, 1936, in Houston, TX to Dahlgren “Douglas” Vernon Hailey and Ruth Jeanine Anderson, the second of three girls, her sisters are Margie Higgins Butler (1933-2025) and Katie Morrison Disnard. Jeanine was married to Arnold “Coy” Alderman from 1956-1976, and they had five children, 16 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren.

Jeanine was born 3 months prematurely in Houston, TX and was sent home without much hope for her survival, but she did! She grew up in the towns of Crowder and McAlester, OK. Affectionately known as, ‘Neen,’ she loved singing, dancing, movies, and fashion. She struggled a bit in school, but her favorite teacher was George Nigh, a young history teacher at the time. He recognized that she needed help and devised a way for her to take her tests by asking her questions instead of taking written exams. It made all the difference in her education! She was so excited to be able to thank him in person at an OKC Town Hall event in 2014. The photo of them together was a prized possession of hers. Yes, she always voted for him!

Her father worked for the WPA and traveled quite a bit. When she was in high school, she went to live with him in Kingman, AZ and then to the Dalles, OR, where she met Coy Alderman. Jeanine and Coy met at a church social and soon fell in love. They married on March 31, 1956 (Coy refused to be married on April Fool’s Day) and they settled in Grandview, Washington. They had five children in nine years, beginning in 1957 with Faith, quickly followed by Tammy, Doug, and Stacy. Becca was born in 1966 after they moved to Oklahoma City.

Jeanine loved the Lord and, as a teen, promised that she would raise her children to know him. She and Coy kept that promise and made attending church as a family a priority. He often complained that we were at church every time the doors were open! Tammy said, “Mom contributed to our drug problem . . . she drug us to church every time the doors were open. I'm very grateful that she did.”

Unfortunately, Jeanine and Coy divorced in 1976 but continued to raise their children to love God. It is rare nowadays that 100% of the family stays in church, but ours has. What a testament to the love and faith of these two!

Jeanine has had many friends over the years. She was a loyal and loving woman. Just a few of them are Betty (favorite cousin), Pauline, Dori (she loved like a daughter), Virgie, Joyce, and Corinna.

She had hobbies and passions: JESUS, always first, followed closely by babies, movies, fashion (the shinier the better), dancing and music. She loved working jigsaw puzzles, but not more than 300 pieces, with anyone willing to help. She always had a word search book by her chair and in her handbag, just in case she got bored. GG (great-grandmother) loved giving wrapped boxes of Queen Anne chocolate covered cherries to the grandchildren at Christmas. Always a favorite!

Sylvia Jeanine Hailey passed peacefully from this world Saturday afternoon, August 29, 2026. She was surrounded by children, grandchildren and great children. She will be dearly missed but we know that she is where she always wanted to be – in the arms of her beloved Jesus, dancing on streets paved with gold. She will be laid to rest with her mother, Ruth Rariden, in Oak Hill Cemetery, McAlester, Oklahoma.

The family is very grateful to the nurses and staff of Mercy Hospice for their loving care and generous help. We are also very grateful to the staff of Rosh Pinah for providing a memorial service and a meal. The biggest thank you goes to Mark and Becca Richards, who made room in their hearts, home and schedule for Mom. She could not have had better caregivers! May God bless you always. Thank you!

Children, grandchildren and greatgrand children of Sylvia Jeanine Hailey and Arnold Coy Alderman

Faith and Pat Reilly: Heather and Ryan Story, Elizabeth, George, and Charles; Stuart Keating, Merlin; Nolan Reilly

Tammy and Mike Draughon: Vanessa and Jon Alexander, Tatum; Jennifer and Jesse Elkhair, Cynthia, Zillah and Joanna Langley; Jeff Draughon; Heather Draughon, Arlon

Douglas Alderman: Lindsey and Tyler Coble, Benjamin and Indie; Megan and Rob Shuffield, Karsyn and Wyatt; Allison and Jake Gilpatrick, Layla and Anakin

Stacy and Charlie Bates: Crystal Godefrin, Josh; Tabitha Alden, Elie and Laura, Asher; Logan and Kylie; Joseph Bates, Gabriel; Leah and Brandon Humann, Campbell, Hadley, and Holland

Rebecca and Mark Richards: Jordan and Rebekah Richards; Katelin and James Coniglio, baby girl due Jan 2027