Longtime Oklahoma State Rep. Sue Tibbs Dies

Oklahoma State Representative Sue Tibbs, a Republican who was currently serving Tulsa in District 23, has died.

Tibbs died Friday evening at her home in Tulsa after a long battle with cancer, a press release from the Oklahoma House of Representatives said.

"She was our colleague, but to many of us, she was the kind of friend anyone would like to have," House Speaker Kris Steele said. "Sue never complained or allowed her illness to get in the way of her service to the people of Oklahoma."

Tibbs, 77, was a native Tulsan and a member of the state legislature for 12 years. She was the Chairwoman on Public Safety and a member of the Appropriations and Budget Human Services subcommittee.

Tibbs was the author of the recent House pseudoephedrine restriction bill, which sought to restrict access to pseudoephedrine -- an over-the-counter drug that is a key ingredient to making methamphetamine – but failed to pass a Senate vote in February.

She also was the host of a long-standing Tuesday afternoon devotional at the Capitol.

I am deeply saddened to learn of Representative Sue Tibbs' passing," said Chris Benge, former speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and senior vice-president of Government Affairs of the Tulsa Metro Chamber. " Her dedicated public service has improved the lives of countless Oklahomans. She was a consummate stateswoman, colleague and friend."

Mike Neal, president and CEO of the Tulsa Metro Chamber, called Tibbs' passing "a tremendous loss."

"Throughout her tenure in the legislature she strongly championed corrections reform and advocated policies that supported Oklahoma's growth as a business-friendly state," Neal said. "We are grateful for her partnership with the Tulsa regional business community to champion pro-business issues, exhibiting unwavering commitment to the Tulsa region and state of Oklahoma. Representative Tibbs exemplified the very best of a public servant."

Tibbs was a graduate of Central High School and Tulsa Junior College. She is survived by her husband Homer Tibbs and two children, Debra West and Elli Dodd.

Funeral arrangements are pending.