Helen Louise McClendon

Helen Louise (Sexton) McClendon, 92, of Kiowa, passed away Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in Coalgate.

The family will welcome friends from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, August 17, 2025, at Bishop Funeral Service and Crematory in McAlester.

A celebration of Helen's life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, August 18, 2025, at Bishop Chapel of Memories, with Tyler Clifton and Zack Wilson officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in McAlester.

Pallbearers will be Tyler Clifton, Zack Wilson, Alex Wilson, Caleb McClendon, Stephen Nash, and Patrick Smith.

Honorary pallbearers include David McClendon, Ralph McClendon, Mike McClendon, Jett McClendon, Cooper McClendon, Coy Trammel, Mike Sexton, Greg Sexton, Larry Sorrels, Jerry Sorrels, Bradley Hamilton, Billy Lee Hamilton, William Drake and Clark Rhyne.

Helen was born October 13, 1932, to Merle J. and Ruby Lee (Cline) Sexton on the Bar Diamond Ranch near Union Chapel. She attended Pittsburg School through the 10th grade before graduating from Limestone Gap School in 1950, and later continued her education at East Central University in Ada.

On June 20, 1950, Helen married the love of her life, Leon W. McClendon, in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Together they shared nearly 65 wonderful years of marriage until his passing in 2015.

Helen worked as an Administrative Assistant at the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant from 1968 until her retirement in 1988.

Her faith was a cornerstone of her life. A devoted member of Kiowa First Baptist Church, she taught children's church, helped lead Vacation Bible School, and taught a Ladies' Sunday School Class for many years.

Helen had a love for life's simple joys. She was an avid bowler and enjoyed arts and crafts, especially drawing, painting, and ceramics. In her younger years, she also loved horseback riding.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leon; grandsons, Jamin McClendon Clifton and Justin Leon McClendon; sister, Yvonne "Vonnie" Newberry; and brother, Gerald Wayne Sexton.

Helen leaves behind a loving family, including her daughters, Carolyn Clifton and husband, Joe, and Marilyn Wilson and husband, Joe; her son, Don McClendon; grandsons, Tyler Clifton and wife, Ashley, Zack Wilson, Alex Wilson and wife, Katy, Caleb McClendon and wife, Elizabeth, and Stephen Nash; great-grandchildren, Gage Nash, Gunner Nash, Eli Wilson, Emmett Wilson, Ariyah Clifton, and Jace Green; sister-in-law, Joyce Sexton; brother-in-law, Ralph McClendon and wife, Marian; special friend, Patrick Smith; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends who will miss her dearly.

Helen's life was marked by faith, family, and a quiet strength that touched all who knew her.