Arlene Kennedy, 79, passed away Sunday, October 18, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Born October 3, 1947, she was the youngest of four daughters of Marvin and Mabel (Howerton) Walker.
She was raised in the Stealy community and attended school at Wayne, graduating with the Bulldog Class of 1965, where she was an outstanding basketball player and cheerleader.
Arlene was a hard worker and worked a variety of jobs throughout the years. She was a hair dresser for over 20 years, owning the Cushing Beauty College and several beauty shops. Arlene worked in the Dallas and surrounding areas managing large apartment complexes. After moving back to Oklahoma, she worked at the Pauls Valley Hospital bookkeeping and later fulfilled her dream of owning a small restaurant, Wiley’s Sweets and Eats in Maysville, before finally retiring in 2020.
Away from work, she enjoyed working puzzles, crossword puzzles, playing dominoes and painting. She was an avid sports fan and never missed an episode of Survivor.
She married Larry Ivan Kennedy in 1973 and was a loving, proud mother to son Ronny and daughter Marla. Arlene cherished her family and especially her grandchildren. Known as Mema to them and many others, she relished this role.
Arlene shared such a close bond with her sisters and looked forward to their yearly “sister trips” where she was always the driver. She will be dearly missed.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Kennedy; her parents, Marvin and Mabel Walker; and her sisters, Claudine Herell, Carolyn Ward and Jo Ann Huddleston.
Arlene is survived by her children, Marla Moates and husband, David, of Maysville; Ronny McCall and wife, Elmira, of Lindsay; and James Kennedy and wife, Tanya, of Carney; 10 grandchildren: Cade, Zach, Cale, Zane, Mason, Avery, Marissa, Tyler, Garrett and Hope; 10 great-grandchildren and a host of other family and friends.
Graveside Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, October 22, 2026, at Hillside Cemetery in Purcell.
