Pontotoc Co., OK - Obits: Ella Mae Stevens ******************************************************* This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb by: Rita Floyd USGenWeb Archives. Copyright. All rights reserved http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ******************************************************* Obituaries from the Ada Evening News, Pontotoc Co., OK. Date of editions are given at beginning of each section. Submitted by Rita Floyd. -------------------------------------------------------- Wednesday, March 19, 2003 ELLA STEVENS Ella Mae Stevens of Homer, OK, entered the Kingdom of Heaven March 13, 2003. Ella was born to Ed and Georgia Sadler, near Davis, OK, on Columbus Day 1916. She was the third of six children, four sisters: Inez, Argaree, Mallinee and Joyce Lynn. She had one brother, Edward Donald. Ella married C.N. (Charlie) Stevens, formerly of Red Level, Alabama, on August 8, 1933. Following 49 wonderful years, C.N. preceded her in death, November 2, 1982. Ella and C.N. were blessed with five loving children: Peggy Ruth, Charlene Yvonne, Terry Dan, Stephen Geary and Stephynne Dawn. Ella had four primary goals in her life: First, serving God as a true and faithful Christian; Second, having a husband and family that she could be proud of; Third, becoming the best school teacher that she could possibly be; and Fourth, serving her country and community. She far exceeded those goals and many others. Starting her teaching career without even a high school diploma, Ella persevered in her search for academic and teaching excellence. She eventually earned a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Masters Degree in Education from East Central State College, Ada, OK. Her hard work and the care given each student she taught culminated in Ella being named "Teacher of the Year" for Murray County in 1967. Ella's burning passion was to be both teacher and mentor to each student and to help them reach their maximum potential in life. Her success is seen today in the hundreds of outstanding and successful Oklahomans that were privileged to be in her classes. Ella began her teaching career in a one-room school at Homer, OK, teaching all eight grades. She taught daughters, a son, many nieces and nephews and children of close friends at Homer Elementary School from 1945 to 1948. When Homer Elementary was consolidated with the Woodland School system in 1949, Ella taught at Woodland Elementary and High School from 1949 to 1969. When Woodland School was consolidated with the Davis School system Ella transferred to Elmore City and taught elementary and high school students there until her retirement, after 36 years, in 1981. Ella continued to support Oklahoma education in retirement and steadfastly maintained her active involvement with the Oklahoma Retired Teachers' Association. Ella was a life-long member of the Pentecostal Church in Hennepin, OK. After her retirement from teaching, she spent untold hours working for the church and helping raise money to further the church's Christian goals. Ella was also preceded in death by her parents; her oldest daughter, Peggy Wingo of Hennepin; her sister Inez Shewmaker of Buffalo, MO; her sister "Molly" Carter of Davis; and her brother "Don" Sadler of Davis. Survivors include daughter Charlene Litke and her husband, Bill, of Hennepin; son Terry Dan and his wife, Sharon, of San Antonio, TX; son Steve and his wife Susie, of Ada; daughter Stephynne of Wynnewood; sister "Ree" Pearson of Homer; and sister Joyce Winter and husband Bennie, of Ardmore; 14 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. Services were held Monday, March 17,2003, at the United Pentecostal Church, Hennepin, OK, at 10:00 a.m. Interment was at the Hennepin Cemetery. Those who would prefer to make a Memorial Contribution in Ella's name to the United Pentecostal Church at Hennepin, in lieu of flowers, are encouraged to do so. Fox Funeral Home, Davis