Duncan - Claudell Ann "Cissie" Heilman was born April 29, 1947, to her birth parents in Carlsbad, New Mexico, the youngest daughter with four brothers and three sisters. This family unit was broken apart with the four older children being sent to an orphanage and the four younger immediately adopted to two families. She and her younger brother, Travis, were adopted in 1951, after spending months in an abandoned hotel basement under the care of her 11-year-old brother in San Angelo, Texas.

Her loving adoptive parents were Claude and Berttie Lawrence of San Angelo, with the compassionate aid of the county judge who approved immediate adoption. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence held minister positions at several locations during his preaching career and made many moves before finally retiring in Duncan, Oklahoma serving the Elk Avenue Church of Christ.

Claudell graduated in 1966 from the Lovington, New Mexico High School and in 1972 was blessed with her son, Brent. In Duncan, she owned and operated her home-based day care business until 1980 when she met and married the love of her life, Geary Heilman, Nov. 21. They recently celebrated 45 years of living life to the fullest. Geary brought their daughter Amy, born in 1975, to the blended family with joy and love for each other.

Everyone knew Claudell as Cissie from her childhood, thanks to Claude and Berttie, and it stuck with her for her lifetime. Cissie was a wonderful mother to Brent and Amy, and eventually a super grandmother to three grandsons and a great-grandmother to her two great-grandchildren. Friends and family enjoyed her sweet spirit and compassion for all who knew her. Cissie's health became troublesome in the last several years and wonderful friends and family gave back to her what she had spent her life providing for others. She is especially grateful to the Duncan Chisholm Trail Home Care services and most recently, their Hospice staff. Many thanks to them, and to Dr. Hurst and Dr. Vonfeldt, for the kind and compassionate care they rendered in her final months.

Cissie is survived by her loving husband, Geary; son Brent and his wife, Kim, and their two children Brendan and Trent and Trent's wife, Julia, and their two children, Jonah and Theodora, all of Duncan; and daughter Amy and her husband, Jorge, and their son, Nathan, of Sahurita, Arizona. Also, two sisters: Beth and husband Cecil Noah of Kendalia, Texas; and Ginger Puetgnat of Houston, Texas; brother Scott Jackman and his wife Ulanda of Pratt, Kansas; and brother Travis and his wife Teri of Conley, Arkansas.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons, her sons Brent and Jorge, Donita Wolf, and Larry Bridgman. Honorary pallbearers are DRH Hospice Staff and members of Elk Avenue Church of Christ. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Chisholm Trail Hospice or the Elk Avenue Church of Christ Benevolence Fund.

Cissie's care has been entrusted to Carter-Smart Funeral Directors. Her service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, at the Carter-Smart Funeral Home chapel with Robert Teague and Phillip Britton, Elders of Elk Avenue Church of Christ presiding. The family will receive visitors from 5-7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, at Carter-Smart Funeral Home.

Online condolences can be made at www.cartersmartfuneralhome.com.