Obituary

The Blessing

On August 11, 1972, Anthony Maurice Folks was born to Gloria Jean Barnett and Billy Mac Love. Anthony was truly a blessing for Gloria because he was her only son.  He was lovingly called “Tony” by many who knew him.  Tony’s life was a testament to God and his family.

Growing up in Boynton, Anthony loved everything about his hometown.  The people, the outdoors, the life but especially the spirit of the Lord, he would encounter there as a child.  He was very outgoing, always playing with his neighborhood friends and creating memories. He was baptized at an early age at Mt. Zion Baptist Church by Rev. Jack Tucker. Anthony along with his sisters and friends loved playing church, sneaking and looking around the corner at Mother Lang’s Neighborhood House of Prayer’s Street revivals.  At the age of 12, Anthony was at a tent revival and Rev. John Gamble told the crowd to jump, 3 times and, on that 3rd, jump Anthony was filled with the Holy Ghost and he was never the same.

Attending Boynton Public Schools, Anthony graduated in the Class of 1991. Upon graduation he attended Langston University and was a part of the Langston Choir. Anthony had a love for music and singing.  Singing was one of the many talents that God gave him.  He worked toward a degree in horticulture at Langston.

Earthly Work

Anthony worked at Tristar Aeronautics for many of years. He changed careers and became a personal assistant for Morris and Toby Fell for more than 18 years. In his part-time he was a dedicated family attendant for Dyer Memorial Chapel under the direction of Mrs. Sharon Dyer until his health ultimately declined.

His Love

The bible states “He who finds a wife, finds a good thing.” In 1998, at St. Paul Baptist Church in Taft, Oklahoma, Anthony found  his good thing.  His sister, Poochie and Orteca Nunley introduced him to Mona Lisa Powell and the rest was history.  They were married on June 18, 1999, and Mona Lisa Powell became Mona Lisa Folks. She reigned as the Queen of his heart until his death.  Mona Lisa stood by his side. Through good, bad and sick times, she was there for him.  Tony affectionately called her, “Ester Vaughn”.  They both had a son when they met. Their blended family was one of love.  They both gained a son, Antonyo and Brian and in love they also raised a daughter, Jalisa.

God’s Work

Anthony was ordained and gave his first sermon at Cherryville Baptist Church in 1997. He loved the Lord and he showed that by the life he lived. Anthony was introduced to his spiritual parents, Reverend Anthony and Jackie Wooden he then began serving as an Associate Minister at St. Paul Baptist Church in Taft, Oklahoma. That relationship proved to be a lifelong bond that flourished until he was called home.

In 2002, Anthony became the Proud Pastor of Mt. Zion Church Boynton.  As the Pastor, he coined the slogan, “A church alive is worth the drive.”  Under his leadership the membership of Mt. Zion began to grow.  He became a spiritual leader to many young pastors, musicians and evangelists of God’s work. When his health started to decline, there were many friends who stood in the gap for him.  They continued to teach God’s word at Mt. Zion and for that he was eternally grateful.

Anthony pressed his way for the last five years. When he was diagnosed with heart failure, in December 2021 he was told only 7% of his heart was working and in six months he’d be gone. But knowing God, he walked in faith, love, anointing and in knowing that whatever plan God had for him, he could walk it out.  God’s word is the last word.

Sometimes walking with a cane, a walker and even the use of a wheelchair, he never gave up or complained. Pastor Folks, as he was lovingly called, celebrated 20 years of service on November 13, 2022, the day God started his quiet transition. A faithful, dedicated servant made it to his 20^th Pastor’s Anniversary Service and for that he will get his crown.

“Well Done Thy Good and Faithful Servant!” 

The Renaissance Man

Literally, a man of many hats. Anthony loved fashion and you could tell by the way he dressed. He never left the house unless he was dressed from head to toe. Never afraid to express himself in color.  For his 50^th birthday, he wore a gold and black suit with a crown.  Fashion was a part of his everyday life. He was an avid gardener.  He could turn a yard into a beautiful oasis of color, planting all kinds of exotic flowers.

Anthony loved information and he loved to share his knowledge.  He had an uncanny way of making you look at a situation from all sides.  He never gave advice, but he gave you the answer through the knowledge that he knew … which was God’s Word.    Anthony was a man after God’s heart and he often said, I WON’T COMPLAIN and he never did.

Rest Well

Anthony took wings like a morning dove and took flight in the early morning hours of November 14, 2022. He was welcomed into heaven by his father, Billy Mac Love; grandparents Elnora Reagor, Mary Jane Love, Jesse Barnett and Siggie Mac Love; brother Billy Love Jr.; sister Cheryl Love; a niece, Dakarai Fuel and other loved ones gone on before him.

Anthony leaves to cherish his memories his wife of 23 years Mona Lisa Folks of the home; mother, Gloria Jean Folks; sons, Antonyo Daniels and Brian Harris, Jr.; daughter, Jalisa Mure;  daughters in love, Emiee Daniels and Katrina Breckenridge, sons in love, Stephen Ivey and Roderick Mure; grandchildren, Ta’Nija Mure , O’livia Mure, Naomi Daniels, Aleiah Daniels, Mona Lisa Mure, Roderick Mure , Alijah Daniels, and Ayanni Daniels ; siblings Angela (Rodrick) Jackson , Lashauna Stafford (James), Sylvia (Tyrell) Lang, Ava Rushing, Ticara Love and Melvin Pouncil; aunts, Bertha Barnett, Glenda Barnett, Valarie (Clarence) Butts, Pocahontas (Charles) Lindsey, Shirley (James) Stephenson, Debra (Tyrone) McConnell, Suda Love, Leola (Darrell) Close, Elizabeth Bell, Rochelle Pearson and Yvonne Sanders; uncles Jessie Barnett, Sr., David Barnett, Wayne Barnett; great uncles, Harold Triggs and Wilmer Barnett; Father and Mother in law, Floyd & Georgia Williams and Floyd Smith; Brothers-in-law, Oliver (Christy) Wallace, William “Bill” Scott and Arnold Fuel; Sisters- in-law, Maria Powell, Lelia Floyd and Tiffany Walton; nieces and nephews: Ciarra Lang, KaMauri Miller, Za’Kyiah Triggs, Zy’Aire “Maurice” Lang, Jasmine Love, LaCharielle Stafford, Diamond Stafford, Erinn McConnell, JaRod (Pandra) Jackson, Chiante’ (Wendy) Jackson, and Angel Jackson. Anthony’s spiritual parents, Rev. Anthony & Jackie Wooden and family, his special neighbor friend the Golden Girl (Donna),

along with a host of aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.

Visitation for Pastor Folks will be held on Friday, November 25, 10:00a.m. – 6:00 p.m., followed by wake services from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., at Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home, 2103 E 3rd St, Tulsa, OK 74104.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 26, 11:00 a.m., at First Baptist Church, Haskell, OK followed by interment at Lee Cemetery, Boynton, OK.

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