Prentice Carroll Letney was born in Pineland, Texas on September 23, 1935 to Prentiss and Olene Letney. An only child, he grew up in Port Arthur, Texas after moving at age 6. He played trumpet in the school band and participated in the Distributive Education Program. He began his business career as a high school junior by day and grocery store stocker by night. At his senior prom in 1954, he went on a blind date with a beautiful young lady named Jo Anne Brammer. Their relationship blossomed and they were married two years later in 1956. After graduating high school, he attended Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas and obtained a bachelor's degree in business. He joined the J.C. Penney company immediately after graduation and rose through the ranks to become a buyer in the New York City office. Opting to be more involved in the retail environment and closer to family, he chose to leave New York and selected to serve in store management in Tulsa, Oklahoma. By this time, Carroll and Jo Anne had two boys, Christopher and Michael, and were looking to raise them outside of the big city. In 1972, Carroll stepped down from J.C. Penney and opened his own ladies' wear store, Poise N Ivy, at Southroads Mall in Tulsa. Making this leap proved very successful, and his entrepreneurial efforts continued to thrive. He opened a second Poise N Ivy, Jo Carroll's, and two Hickory Farms stores. In his later years, he operated Gas Station Fashions, and finally Discount Formals, where he continued to work seven days a week, until his passing.
He was active in Tulsa Rotary, served on the board of Tulsa County Vo-Tech at its beginning, served as a leader in the Boy Scouts of America, and participated in the local Distributive Education program, employing many high school students in his stores.
He was also a part of the junior livestock auction at the Tulsa State Fair. The Letneys are members of First United Methodist Church of Tulsa.
Carroll went home to be with his Lord and Savior on August 13, 2020. He is survived by his wife, Jo Anne; their sons, Chris (wife Suzanne), and Michael (wife Barbie); six grandchildren: Jessica (husband Jeffrey) Alicia, Matthew, Victoria, Michael (wife Stephanie) and Melissa (husband Joshua); and eight great-grandchildren: Reese, Suri, Quincy, Abigail, Ruth, Asher, Samuel, and Caleb. He loved fishing, hunting and traveling. Memorable trips included Europe, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and throughout the United States. He was a dedicated gardener and was meticulous in the care of his flowers, trees and lawn. Carroll had a unique flair for storytelling, and could recount his life in great detail. Anyone who knew him will never forget the twinkle in his eye when he launched into another story with "you know, it was real funny..." He could often be found many nights engaged in a card game with Jo or the grandkids, and he loved to rub it in when he won. Craps was his favorite casino game and he was an expert; he loved to tell stories of "when the tables were hot".
More than anything, Carroll loved God and his family. He was so proud of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and talked about them to anyone who would listen. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, generosity and hard work, and showed what is really important in life- loving God, finding our God-given purpose, and having faith that God will carry us through if we just keep moving forward.
In lieu of flowers, Carroll desired that donations be made to No Limits Foundation at http://www.nolimitsfoundation.org
Viewing will be 10AM-8PM, Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at Moore's Southlawn. Funeral service will be 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at Moore's Southlawn Chapel, 9350 E. 51st, Tulsa, OK. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233