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Earlene Nelson Stegall was born in Hollis, Ok on February 8, 1934. Surrounded by family, she peacefully passed from this life on February 23, 2018 at the age of 84 years and 15 days. There was a double blessing at her birth she had an automatic best friend in her twin brother Earl. Earl and Earlene, or the twins as they were known, were very small at birth and were not expected to live. The Dr. told her parents they would never survive. Stubbornness ran in the Nelson family. Their parents would not hear of this! For the first weeks of their tiny lives, the twins lived on the oven door in a one shoebox, being fed around the clock with an eye dropper. Stubbornness paid off because on February 8th, they celebrated their 84th birthdays!
Earlene grew up enjoying her many nieces and nephews, some of whom were older than her! She was active in school and one of her passions was basketball, at which she was very talented. She graduated from LaCasa High School in 1952.
While in high school, Earlene caught the eye of a handsome guy, Edward Lee Stegall, who attended a rival school, Ron High. They dated until Edward left for a stint with the Army. She waited for him and when Edward returned from military service, they were married on May 23,1952, the same day that she graduated from high school! During their almost 66 years of marriage, they made their homes in Borger, Texas; Fritch, Texas; Lake Jackson, Texas; and Hollis, Ok where they lived until September 2017, when health issues moved them to move to Ponca City, Oklahoma to be closer to family.
Earlene's greatest pride was her family. She loved children and never missed an opportunity to interact, play and encourage all she came in contact with. More times than not, you could find her outside playing with the kids. It did not matter if these children belonged to her or not... she made them all feel special.
Earlene was proud to be called a homemaker. She was an accomplished seamstress, a fierce Skip-Bo and domino player and a begrudging goat tender! Anyone who was blessed enough to come into her home, received a warm and genuine welcome. There was always good conversation and a hot meal. No one ever went away feeling unloved.
Raising four children meant that her home was always full of motorcycles, musical instruments, sports equipment, boyfriends, girlfriends, activity, fun and kids. Whether it was hosting a youth devotional or taking in a troubled teen, her arms were always open and willing. So many young lives were blessed and touched by her guidance, acceptance and love. And she felt equally blessed by them.
Earlenes passing leaves a void in so many parts of our lives. We will miss her smile, her quiet understanding, her total dedication to her family, her stability. She has been a blessing and a constant in more lives than we can ever imagine.
Earlene obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ at the age of 13. She was a member of the Church of Christ and taught Bible classes up until this past year. She was also a member of Daughters of the American Revolution and enjoyed every aspect of patriotism and family history.
She is survived by her husband, Edward Lee of Ponca City; daughters Becky Jones and husband, Tenny of Bella Vista ,Arkansas and Cathy Kellison and husband Craig of Ponca City; sons Eddie Stegall and wife Julene of Tuttle,Oklahoma and Jeffrey Stegall and wife Veronica of Brazoria, Texas; sister Dottie Prock of Hollis, Okla; Brother Earl Nelson of Duncan, Okla; 13grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews; and loving friends throughout the world.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Garrett and Edna Nelson; sisters, Betty Jo Malone, Ola Rollins, Ruby Crabb and Margress Davidson; and brothers, Wayne Nelson and LG Nelson.
Memorial services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday March 3, 2018 in the Hollis Church of Christ in Hollis, OK
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