KENNEDY, Myrtle Mae

The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ October 15, 1997 Myrtle Mae Kennedy of Wenden, died Oct. 8 in Wenden. She was 90. Mrs. Kennedy was born Jan. 24, 1907 in Skedee, Okla. She had lived in Arizona for the past 38 years, coming from California. Mrs. Kennedy was the fifth of the 12 children born to parents Fred and Rosa Tanner. The family moved to Ralston, Okla., where Myrtle attended elementary school and graduated from Ralston High School in 1925. Myrtle then moved to Ponca City, Okla., and was employed as a telephone operator. There, she met and married Gilbert L. Kennedy on Aug. 25, 1926. From that union came five children: Gilbert L. Jr., Clarence E., Dorothy L., J. Gordon, and Joe R. They farmed and ranched in Oklahoma until 1951, then moved to Arvin, Calif., and also engaged in farming. The two younger boys attended high school in Arvin. The three older children had already completed their education in Oklahoma. In 1959, Mrs. Kennedy and her husband moved to Wenden. Gilbert passed away in 1965, and Myrtle has remained at their home in Wenden since. She was always active in both the Wenden and Salome communities. She transferred her membership in the General Federation of Women’s Club from Arvin to ViSaWen in Salome in 1959. She also joined the local canasta club that year, as she loved to play cards. In Oklahoma, Myrtle was involved in the PTA at Foster School, where all her children attended elementary school. She also belonged to the Home Demonstration Club, sponsored by the Extension Service out of the University of Stillwater. Many times, she walked miles to reach a neighbor’s house, where the functions were held. The ladies took turns hostessing the meetings. They quilted, learned household skills and received information about health and child care. When Myrtle moved to Arvin, she joined the Congregational Church, which her entire family attended. She later joined the Wenden Bible Church and was a very active member there. She loved going to Bible study, gaining knowledge and strength in her faith. Survivors include her daughter Dorothy L. Matthews of Salome; sons and daughters-in-law Gilbert L. Jr. and jean of Enid, Okla., Clarence E. and Iraline of Ponca City, Okla., J. Gordon and Carol of Madera, Calif., and Joe R. and Rhonda Kennedy of Ralston, Okla.; sisters Cordella Edwards of Ponca City, Eleanor Sanders of Seal Beach, Calif., and Verna Nance of Adelanto, Calif.; brothers Cy Tanner of Ralston, Okla., and Harold Tanner of Los Angeles, Calif.; 22 grandchildren; 55 great-grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by six brothers. Mrs. Kennedy loved all her family dearly, and kept track of all their birthdays and acknowledged them. We shall sorely miss her. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 13 at Frey Funeral Home with Pastor Lester Ray officiating. Visitation was conducted prior to the funeral service. Donations may be made to the Wenden Bible Church, Wenden, AZ 85357 or Tri-Valley Medical Association, Box 1172, Salome, AZ 85348. Frey Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Wickenburg handled all the arrangements. The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ October 15, 1997 Myrtle Mae Kennedy of Wenden, died Oct. 8 in Wenden. She was 90. Mrs. Kennedy was born Jan. 24, 1907 in Skedee, Okla. She had lived in Arizona for the past 38 years, coming from California. Survivors include her daughter, Dorothy L. Matthews of Salmon; sons and daughters-in-law Gilbert L. Jr. and Jean of Enid, Okla., Clarence E. and Irvaline of Ponca City, Okla., J. Gordon and Carol of Madera, Calif., and Joe R. and Rhonda Kennedy of Ralston, Okla.; sisters Cordella Edwards of Ponca City, Eleanor Sanders of Seal Beach, Calif. and Vera Nance of Adelanto, Calif., brothers Cy Tanner of Ralston, Okla., and Harold Tanner of Los Angeles, Calif.; 22 grandchildren; 55 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great grandchildren. Services have been held.