When Muldrow resident Brant Followell retired from teaching, he found it so enjoyable that he retired twice. In total, he spent 32 years teaching social studies, science, biology, business, and history in Muldrow, and was a football coach from 1983-2003.

“It was sort of varied, but I just taught whatever the need was for that year,” Followell said.

Followell said his son was still in school the first time he retired and he had time to pursue his interests. It was during this time that Followell said he first took up baking.

“I guess I started because I had the time and wanted to learn,” Followell said. “I began making coconut pies and they turned out pretty good.”

While Followell does not follow any specific recipe, he combines one part Betty Crocker with one part of his late mother-in-law, Pauline.

“The recipe just sort of came from the combination. My wife Cathy would tell me what she remembered her mama using, and eventually things came together,” he said.

Followell drew inspiration from his mother-in-law.

“She was the type of woman where you would look at her kitchen and think there is nothing in there,” he said, “and 20 minutes later, she would have a whole meal cooked and ready.”

He began to give his pies to community members as a way to give back to the community. Followell said he has given pies to agents at the tag office, mechanics and bank staff. Community members say that he also takes pies to funerals and memorial services.

One recipient of a coconut pie said, “My mom used to make coconut pies, and when Brant brought one in for me, it was like a trip down memory lane.” Followell and his wife Cathy, of 52 years, previously owned Broadway Joe’s, and he sold his pies there, recently passing along some of his recipe knowledge to the new owners, who still sell some pies.

Nowadays, Followell spends his days running errands, volunteering and doing community service with his wife.

“I see my neighbors going to work, and I think I used to be one of them,” he said. “Now I just let my days evolve organically.”

Followell is also active in his church, Eastside Freewill Baptist in Muldrow, and has spent the past few years helping set up the church’s annual “Tour of Christmas”—a hayride through a field that showcases various scenes from the biblical Christmas story.

“The church has been doing this for about 13 years, and I have been helping to set up some of the scenes for a few years. People like it; they get to ride on a tractor-pulled trailer and enjoy cocoa and cookies,” he said.

“He is such an integral part of our church family, always helping out with things and when he sees people needing a pick-me-up, he is there to talk, visit and sometimes brings them a pie,” one church congregant said of Followell.

Many people agree that Followell is an example of true community spirit. He and Cathy live in Muldrow and enjoy spending time with family. His grandson is rising country singer Camden Followell, who has performed at many venues and events throughout the past year.