Kay McIntire

In Loving Memory of Kay Ellen McIntire

Kay Ellen McIntire, 85, of Oklahoma, known as Kate to her friends, passed away Saturday evening, November 22nd. Her loved ones carry her stories, her strength, and her spirit forward.

Born in Jones and raised in Wellston, Kate's life was shaped by the red earth of Oklahoma and the resilience it demands. A published poet, her words reflected the rhythm of poverty, perseverance, and pride, tales spun from the threadbare beauty of her upbringing and stitched with deep, unflinching honesty. She never forgot where she came from, even as she worked to build something better for those who followed.

In her 40s, Kate began pursuing higher education with the same resolve that marked every step of her life. She earned a master's degree with honors and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, a reflection of her scholarly excellence. For over twenty years, she dedicated herself to teaching as a college professor, nurturing minds with both rigor and compassion.

Kate was a mother of four, a grandmother of ten, and a great-grandmother to two wonderful children. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, David, who remained faithfully by her side through every season of life, a steady hand, a loving voice, and her closest friend.

Though her relationship with each of us held its own complexity, she left behind memories touched with warmth: the scent of something simmering on the stove, and her voice singing through the kitchen.

She leaves behind a legacy not just of ink on paper, but of grit, grace, and poetry that lives on in those who knew her. We remember her with love, with honesty, and with gratitude for the many forms her care took, spoken and unspoken.

In saying goodbye, we don't pretend she was perfect, We remember her as she was: vibrant, opinionated, and unmistakably Kate. She left behind not just stories on the page, but memories shaped by her giving spirit, her unfiltered charm, and the quiet affection that surfaced in the smallest, most surprising ways. For those who knew her, her presence will not be easily forgotten. We hold tight to the good times and carry her forward, one story at a time.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Salvation Army. As a child growing up with very little, Kate never forgot the kindness shown to her family—especially the years the Salvation Army provided Christmas gifts when there would have been none. Their generosity stayed with her all her life, and she was a lifelong supporter of their work because of it.