Ellen Maxine (McNeill) Kennedy, age 84, passed away peacefully November 9, 2025, in Ardmore, Oklahoma. She was born December 14, 1940, in Elmore City, Oklahoma, to John Alexander and Viva Leola (Pyle) McNeill. Ellen grew up in Elmore City, where she developed a lifelong love of riding horses, picking blackberries and playing basketball. A proud graduate of Elmore City High School, Class of 1958, she went on to attend cosmetology school in Lindsay, traveling by bus each day to pursue her dream. After completing her training, Ellen married the love of her life, Charles LeRay Kennedy, on August 29, 1959. Together they shared 64 wonderful years before LeRay’s passing on July 15, 2024. Their marriage was a true testament to love, devotion, and partnership.
Ellen worked as a hairdresser for 55 years, dedicating her career to helping others look and feel their best. She was deeply loved by her clients and community, not only for her skill but for her kindness and caring spirit, and she loved them in return as well.
A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Ellen and LeRay raised four children and were blessed with 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Her greatest joy was her family, and she was always there for them at a moment’s notice.
Ellen was a member of Satterwhite Missionary Baptist Church and enjoyed fellowship with her church family. She was also active in the Pauls Valley bowling league, where she shared laughter and friendship over the years. She was a talented seamstress and baker and was known for her famous lemon bundt cake that was a crowd favorite at local FFA dessert auctions. You could also find her making special birthday and wedding cakes for countless family members and friends — including wedding cakes for her children, Terry and Clyda. She loved monogramming towels and creating personalized gifts for weddings, graduations, and other celebrations.
Ellen had a servant’s heart — always giving, always thinking of others first. She lived her life guided by the values of hard work, kindness and teaching those around her to do your best at everything you do. She often reminded her family, “If you’re as pretty on the inside as you are on the outside, you’ll be just fine.” Ellen’s legacy of love, generosity and faith will continue to live on through the family and friends she so deeply cherished.
Ellen is survived by her son, David Kennedy and wife, Kim, of Elmore City, and his family: Charlie and Crystal Kennedy and their children David, Charlie and Austin of Elmore City, , and Katie Kennedy, of Rush Springs, Oklahoma; her son, Terry Kennedy, of Elmore City, and his family: Hope and Brett York and daughter, Brailey and her husband, Canaan Miller, of Ada, Oklahoma; Hoak and Tayl’r Kluver and their children, Jett, Cooper and Gus of Pocasset, Oklahoma; Dally and Lane Hopper and their children, Kenleigh and Sage, of Elmore City; and Thomas Kennedy of Elmore City; her daughter, Cendy Combes and husband, Steven, of Elmore City, and their family, Sarah and Jason Quigley, of Destrehan, Louisiana, and Seth and Harlee Combes of Enid, Oklahoma; her daughter, Clyda Ware and husband, Alan, of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, and their family, Derby and Malia Whitefield of Stillwater, Oklahoma; Kennedy and Zach Perry, of Houston, Texas, Daniel and Darcie Ware and Bennett of Norman, Oklahoma, and Rachel and Callie Ware and Sosie of Oklahoma City; her brother, Wayne McNeill and wife, Carolyn, of Pauls Valley; sister-in-law, Dona Kennedy, of Elmore City; and a host of other friends and family members.
Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, Charles LeRay Kennedy; parents, John Alexander and Viva Leola (Pyle) McNeill; daughter-in-law, Coie Sue Kennedy; great-granddaughter, Brettley Nicole York; sisters, Wanda Clark, Ida Ruth Horn and Ruby Walker; and brother, J.T. “Tubby” McNeill.
Services for Ellen were held November 12, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Elmore City with Allen Carroll and Jimmy Balentine officiating. Interment followed at Elmore City Cemetery under the direction of Wooster Funeral Home in Elmore City. If you would like to send your condolences to the family you may do so at woosterfuneralhomes. com.
