Dr. Arletta "Missy" Jane Knight Fink

In Loving Memory of Dr. Arletta “Missy” Jane Knight Fink

Dr. Arletta Jane Knight Fink, affectionately known to everyone who loved her as “Missy”, was one of those rare people who could light up a room with her smile, her story-telling, and her genuine interest in others.

Born on November 24, 1939, to Albert Carl “Shorty” Bauman and Janie Pauline Whitford, Missy’s story began in Cordell, Oklahoma at Shorty’s Place, the café where she was born and raised and where her deep love for family and her adventurous life began.

Missy was smart and talented from the start, and she wasn’t shy about putting that talent to good use. At Cordell High School, she did it all: Valedictorian, Homecoming Queen, band member, fire baton twirler, and an award-winning speech winner, earning her a trip to Washington, D.C.

She loved learning, performing, and connecting with people—three things that would shape the rest of her life.

Missy graduated in 1957 from Cordell High School. She continued her education at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, graduating summa cum laude, and eventually earned a Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Oklahoma. Education wasn’t just her career—it was her calling. She taught kindergarten at St. Stephen’s, served as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Oklahoma, and later became an Assistant Professor at OU, influencing countless students along the way.

On February 13, 1959, Missy married Dorman Knight, beginning a 36-year love story filled with family, laughter, OU football, and hard work. In 1961, they moved to Norman, where they raised their family and owned Knight’s Trophy & Awards, a business that celebrated the achievements of others, something Missy was always quick to do. After Dorman’s passing, Missy later found love again and married Leslie “Dee” Fink on December 6, 1998, gaining not only a husband but a true partner with whom she enjoyed life and many travels worldwide. She also was blessed with the addition of two more children to the family, Dee’s children, Laura and Andy, whom she loved as her own.

Missy was a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother first and always. Family was her heart. She loved being part of her community and her church, whether it was hosting church youth group gatherings in her home, sponsoring youth trips, or hosting cookouts for OU coaches and staff. Her home was always open, always welcoming, and always full of conversation and laughter.

Music and performance were lifelong joys. Missy sang with the Sweet Adelines, performed in church plays at First Baptist Church, and lit up the stage at the Sooner Theatre in productions like Moon Over Buffalo and The Wedding Singer. She even took her talents to the big screen, appearing in films such as The Killer Inside Me and Jurassic Pet. These performances earned her a spot as a member of the Screen Actors Guild.

She also loved to write and publish books. Missy co-authored Team-Based Learning with Dee and edited several other books. Two of her articles—The Dream Inside Me and I Played the Game with the Sooners in ’57—were published in the Norman Transcript, offering glimpses into her personal ambitions and deep love for the Sooners.

Missy loved to travel and make memories. She visited six continents and at least 21 different countries. She especially loved making memories with family members as they made multiple trips to NYC, staying at their West 57th property, situated near Central Park and all the great sites in New York City. She made every trip so special.

Missy loved her family, but also extended her heart to many others. She sang at weddings and funerals, offering her voice during life’s most meaningful moments. She encouraged students, nurtured young hearts, and made everyone feel seen and valued. Her life was full, her faith was strong, and her legacy is one of joy, generosity, and meaningful relationships.

In the final chapter of her life she was blessed to have both Starla and Holly join with her and Dee daily as they would be out and about, dine out together, and spend quality time just being “at home” with her.

Missy is survived by her loving family: her children, Starla Uhles Van Winkle and her husband, Terry; Holly Uhles and her husband, Ron; Laura (Fink) Collins and her husband Chris and Andy Fink; her grandchildren, Taylor (Uhles) Stitt, William Herbert “Ty” Uhles IV and his wife, Randi, Jaxon Uhles and his wife, Jordan, and Jillian (Uhles) Coffee and her husband, Jake; and her great-grandchildren, William “Hutton” Stitt, Heston Stitt, Hadley Stitt, Paityn Uhles, Blakely Uhles, Rusty Uhles, and Owen Uhles.

Missy will be deeply missed, fondly remembered, and forever loved!

A celebration of Missy’s life will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at Tribute Memorial Care. A come and go visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at Tribute Memorial Care. Donations may be made to the ASPCA. Services are under the direction of Tribute Memorial Care.