Ms. Oklahoma Senior America 2025 Crowned

Story by Darl Devault. contributing writer/editor

Kristy Fancher, a cosmetologist from Amber, was crowned Ms. Oklahoma Senior America 2025 during the 17th annual pageant held on April 5 at the spacious Mustang Performing Arts Center.
With Dr. Barbara Mauldin, the 2015 Ms. Senior America, serving as the mistress of ceremonies, Ms. Oklahoma Senior America 2024, Linda Traw from Tulsa, crowned Fancher after the judges selected her.
Upon winning the crown, Fancher was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. “Winning this pageant is a testament to the love and support of my family, friends and community,” Fancher said. “There were so many amazing women in the competition, and I’m honored to have won. I am excited to represent Oklahoma at the national pageant!”
This annual pageant celebrates women aged 60 and older who embody the “Age of Elegance,” a term that signifies grace, wisdom, and inner beauty, by competing to reign as the 2025 Ms. Oklahoma Senior America.
Fancher’s journey is evidence of the quality of her dedication to her community and love for her work. Born in Oregon and raised in Newcastle from age six, she graduated from Newcastle High School and completed the cosmetology program at the Mid-America Technology Center in 1981. She is a wife, a mother to four, and a Maw Maw to seven grandchildren aged two to seventeen.
She styles hair at the Shear Shack in Tuttle and says it is not considered work if you love what you do. She delights in guiding others to recognize not just their outer beauty but also their inner beauty.
Fancher and her husband, Terry, travel across the state and nearby states to sing and preach to various religious groups, homeless shelters, rehab centers, and prisons. For 10 years of volunteer service, she received the title of Crusade Provider for the Texas Department of Corrections. She has also volunteered at the Oklahoma Department of Corrections for two years.
She also volunteers at a local nursing home, Senior Village Healthcare Center in Blanchard. Fancher says she was honored to be her mother’s caregiver toward the end. Her mom was a resident at the center for a few months before passing, and since then, Fancher has been providing free haircuts to the residents and donating Christmas gifts.
Fancher has always been active in her community. She served as President of the Tuttle Lions Club for two years and President of the Tuttle Area Chamber of Commerce, serving Tuttle, Bridge Creek, and the surrounding agricultural community for another two years. She is also an active member of the Women’s Guild at her church in Mustang, where they collaborate with Strawberry Fields and volunteer when needed.
Fancher finds joy in spending time with her family, helping others, reading, engaging in daily devotionals, and singing, which was obvious when she sang “Amazing Grace” a cappella so capably in the talent portion of the pageant.
With 14 contestants competing in Interviews, Talent, Evening Gown, and a presentation of their philosophy of life, contestants hailing from Amber, Bethany, Collinsville, Kingston, Moore, Nichols Hills, Oklahoma City, Sand Springs, Shawnee, and Tulsa meant the ladies represented a diverse range of hometowns, ensuring that every corner of our state was represented.
The pageant also recognized the efforts and contributions of the other contestants. Queen Fancher’s Court includes 1st Runner-Up Debora Dahl, 2nd Runner-Up Robin Downe, 3rd Runner-Up Tara Bradley, and 4th Runner-Up Donna Fabian, all of whom have shown exceptional dedication and talent. The Community Service Award was given to Edie Thomas, and the contestants voted Carla Joy Niemann as Ms. Congeniality. The People’s Choice Award was awarded to Terri Carr, and Fancher also received the Ambassador Award, inspiring us all with their achievements.
Natalie Oliver Atherton, the current Ms. Senior America from Denver, entertained attendees with her singing. Her participation and the overwhelming support of the local community made the event truly special, showcasing the unity and strength of our community.
All contestants and hometowns were Carole Ayers, Kingston, Sharron Clifton, Bethany, Tara Bradley, Terri Carr, and Wonna Cornelson reside in OKC. Debbie Dahl, Moore, Robin Downe, Collinsville, Donna Fabian, Tulsa, Kristy Fancher, Amber, Debbie Hay, Sand Springs, Pam Holzberger, Nichols Hills, Leslie Landwert, Shawnee, Carla Joy Niemann, and Edie Thomas also reside in OKC.
The event organizer, the Ms. Senior Oklahoma Foundation, will sponsor Fancher to compete in October at the National Ms. Senior America Pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The Foundation will pay her airfare, room and registration fee.
The national pageant is a nonprofit organization that honors senior women’s achievements and encourages them to use their full potential to share a positive outlook on life with others. Organizers say it is more than a “beauty pageant.” Senior America is a reaffirmation of life, self-worth, laughter, tears, inner beauty, and outward charm.
This philosophy is based on the belief that seniors are America’s foundation and our most valuable treasure. Organizers say the younger generation has the opportunity to build a better society through seniors’ sharing of knowledge, experience and resources.
The Ms. Senior Oklahoma Foundation has been staging the pageant since 2008, now under the direction of State Administrator Carol Kallenberger and Directors Dove Morgan-Schmidt, Barbara Bryant-Waggoner and Deborah Wedel.
Kallenberger from Guthrie dedicates much of her time to this annual event. She says these elegant ladies reflect the grace, charm and fortitude that shines brightly throughout our state. “It was truly an amazing event with all the contestants displaying every aspect of the ‘Age of Elegance,’ Kallenberger said. “I sincerely believe that a crown is not always made of rhinestones. It is made of discipline, determination, and courage. Thanks to everyone who helped make our 2025 Ms. Oklahoma Senior America Pageant a great success.”
For more information about Ms. Senior America, please visit the Ms. Senior America Pageant Home.