Laurel Jo (Kellum) McKelvey

Laurel departed this life on Monday, May 1, 2023, at the age of 89 years. Her Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at the home of her daughter, Kristi Zura, in Lawton, Oklahoma from 3:00p.m. to 8:00p.m.
Laurel Jo Kellum was born on Monday, November 20, 1933, in Dallas, Texas, to Jess Lee Kellum and her mother. She grew up in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas and graduated from Adamson High School in 1951. She married the love of her life, John Ward McKelvey, on March 7, 1953. Laurel and John had 2 daughters, Kristi and Jody. They spent the first 27 years of their married life in Dallas. 
 In 1980, they moved the family to Lawton, Oklahoma and purchased a convenience store.  The store, Wichita Estates Food Mart, was located on Highway 49, north of Lawton, near Medicine Park. They owned the store from July 1980 until July 1989, then sold the store to Hop & Sack.  In 1990, Laurel and John moved back to Dallas, where they both worked for Eckerd's Drug Stores.  In 1992, they became team-managers with Motel Six, first in San Angelo, TX, then in El Paso, TX.  In 1998, they “retired” and moved to Albuquerque, NM to live with Jody and Jessamyne. Laurel and John lived in Albuquerque until April of 2015, when they moved back to Lawton.
In 2016, Laurel went to work in the garden department at Walmart on Sheridan Road and also at TJ Maxx. Yes, two jobs at the age of 83 years young!  Laurel was a little powerhouse and rarely met a stranger.  She absolutely loved both jobs and adored her customers.  With great reluctance, she retired from both jobs in June 2020, at the tender age of 86 and a half. 
Laurel and John were just 2 months shy of their 64th wedding anniversary when he passed away in January 2017.  She missed him terribly and we know that they are rejoicing at being together again.  In August 2021, Laurel and her 2 beloved pups moved in with Kristi and Mike, where she lived until the time of her death.  
Laurel was healthy right up until the last weekend of her life.  She was immensely proud of the fact that she was 89 years old and on ZERO medications.  Laurel lived a long full life and was loved by all who knew her.  We were extremely blessed to have her in our lives.
Laurel is survived by her 2 daughters and sons-in-love: Kristi and Mike Zura, Lawton, OK and Jody and Sean Chavez, Albuquerque, NM. Four grandchildren and their spouses: Derek and Tynisha McKelvey, Moore, OK; Zackary Zura and Lori Stafford, Tessa Zura, all of Lawton, and Jessamyne McKelvey, Albuquerque, NM.  Great-grands are Alanna McKelvey, Gabriel McKelvey, Avery Jo Zura, and bonus great-grands: Tatiyana Dillard, Keiaira Mannie, Sunni Stafford, Daisey, and Grace Mendez, all of Oklahoma.  Mom is also survived by many extended family members, friends, and by her 2 beloved pups, Blondie and Buddy. 
Arrangements made by Ritter Gray Funeral Home, Lawton, OK

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Laurel Jo (Kellum) McKelvey, please visit our Tree Store.