Elva Dean McKinnis , 85, of Chester, passed from this life on August 26, 2015. She was born on February 8, 1930 to Callie and Thelma (Hoskins) Woodring in Chester, OK. Elva married Arnold McKinnis on September 10, 1976 at the First Christian Church in Seiling. Arnold passed away on March 5, 1985. Elva Dean was a member of the Cedar Spring Nazarene Church. She worked for many years on the family farm helping her parents with the farm work. She was also a seamstress and made many garments for local residents. She also worked as a cashier at the Fairview State Bank for twenty years until her retirement in 1982.
Elva was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Arnold McKinnis, sister Callene Elwell, and nephew Mark Elwell.
She is survived by her stepson, Barry McKinnis and wife Marsha of Dallas, TX, sister Kitty Lajune Stewart and husband Andy of Chester; step granddaughter Julie McKinnis of New York City; neices and nephews Chris Stewart and wife Michelle of Chester, Curtis Stewart and wife Bonita of Chester, Phil Elwell and wife Beverly of Fairview, Teresa Nichols and husband Lewy of Fairview, John Elwell and wife Tina of Rapid City, SD, and Chad Elwell and wife Lisa of Los Angeles, CA; great nephews Baxter Stewart and wife Shayla of Tahlequah, OK, Jordan Marsh and husband Dakota of Springfield, MO, Lindsey Wallace and husband Chad of Aline; Drew Elwell of Fairview, Derek Elwell and wife Brandi of Fairview, Marcus Elwell and wife Shannon of Oklahoma City, and Brady Nichols and wife Kaitlyn of Fairview, Melissa Elwell of Hill City, SD, and Angie Elwell of Denver, CO, and Lucas Elwell of Houston; and great-great nephews and nieces Rhett Owen Wallace, Cy William Wallace, Braelynn Beth Nichols, Landry May Elwell, and Ethan Abraham Elwell, as well as a lifetime of friends.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at the Redinger Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Hope Cemetery. The family of Elva Dean have entrusted her care services and burial to director Luke Faires and the caring staff of Redinger Funeral Home.