Another Mother, Cecelia McKey

[Naomi]

To those who have lost mothers, recently and not so recent, I send my prayers and encouragement.

Stan also asked me to post an obit for my mother. Ask and you shall receive, right Stan.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Funeral Services for my mother, Cecelia Aloise McKey, were held on Friday, January 18 at 2 p.m. in the First Baptist Church in Carney. Elder Max Trevino preached the sermon and Phil Draper provided the music. Memories were presented by myself and my brother, Duane McKey.

Mother was born on August 8, 1912 and at the age of 95 as I read Psalms 121 she gently squeezed my hand and peacefully went to sleep to await our Lord’s return. She was a lifelong resident of the Carney, OK area, graduating from Carney High School and attending Central State University in Edmond, OK. She was a life-time member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, with membership in Chandler, OK and finally at Summit Ridge SDA church.

After the SDA Church in Carney disbanded she was instrumental in establishing a church in Chandler, OK. It is still active and we feel a tribute to our mother. Over the years she held many offices in the church but at the age of 92 finally choose to relinquish the position of Church Clerk. I do believe she enjoyed teaching the kindergarten Sabbath School more than anything.

She loved Mission Stories and was always anxious to know of the number(s) of people who accepted Jesus. She knew that every new mission trip would bring us one step closer to the message traveling around the world and hastened our Lord’s return.

Mother was a “Praying Mother” and prayed daily for her family, friends, church and neighbors. On many occasions, in different circumstances, she taught each of us the value of prayer and faith.

One significant lesson was for my brother. He had been in the ministry for a number of years and was visiting our parents on the farm. A very young calf was seriously ill. Anyone who has been around animals can recognize the signs of near death. She said, “Let’s pray for the calf.” He didn’t want to discourage her but felt sad that she would soon be disappointed that her prayer wasn’t answered. There in the cold, evening they knelt in the straw, and other not so pleasant surroundings, she placed her hands on the calf and began to pray.

When mother finished praying they went into the house for the evening. The next morning she told him to go and fix a bottle and feed the calf. He said, “Oh MOTHER” but the look she gave him sent him out to fix a bottle for the calf. He was sure he was fixing a bottle to feed a dead calf. When he got to the pen the dead calf was up and bouncing around, anxious to take it’s bottle.

For many long years Mother and Dad owned and operated a registered jersey dairy, but finally had an auction. At the time of the auction Mother was 83 and still milked the cows twice a day. The day of the sale Daddy took my brother over to look at the cattle and pointed out a 1400 pound cow. “Son, see that cow; that’s the dead calf.”

Later, Mother told my brother that they had lost of sick calves over the years and it wasn’t to save the calf that she prayed. It was to teach her {preacher} son the power of prayer. ABC … Ask, Believe, Claim.

At 91 mother still raised a garden which covered almost an acre. She preferred to use only a hoe and would be distressed if there were weeds growing in her vegetables. Over the years my parents grew huge amounts of food … they would prepare it for storage for winter. They also provided much fresh produce to their neighbors, friends and relatives. One time I asked them why they didn’t sell the excess to a produce stand. My parents were shocked that I would suggest it. Their response was that the Lord provided them with a bountiful harvest and they wanted it to be free to all who could use it.

Mother always had to keep busy. She made many items of clothing; crochet dozens of scarves, lace, Afghans, etc. She always kept things that she had made for gifts for anyone who came to visit her. Her most cherished gifts to her family were her quilts. We all have many to remember her by. I mentioned at the funeral that some had more than others and when my brother followed with his “memories” the first thing he did was correct me by saying that Kenneth, my son, had the most. It was always a friendly contest between my brother and son for her quilts.

At 93 mother could still recite all the books of the Bible. She loved the sky and could name the majority of the constellations. She was equally skilled on the piano and guitar. Friday evenings were filled with her music and everyone sing “Sabbath” songs. Less than a year ago she lost the ability to coordinate her hands to continue to pray the piano.

During Duane’s portion of the memories he would recite portions of the words to favorite songs and Brother Draper would play the music. For a couple of family favorite’s Kathy, my sister-in-law joined in song.

For many years mother baked the communion bread for Communion Sabbath. Laundered, ironed the linens and made sure everything was properly prepared for the celebration of The Lord’s Supper.

The daughter of a widowed Ukraine immigrant she never enjoyed many of the luxuries of this world, nor was she ever concerned with excess. She often spoke of how beautiful Heaven would be and the mansion which was being prepared for her. Often we were reminded of the importance of Laying up our treasures in Heaven. Other than the Bible, her favorite all time book was Ellen White’s little book “Heaven”

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law Dr.Duane & Kathy McKey of Phoenix, {AZ/Burleson, TX}, daughter Naomi McKey Tricomi of Carney, OK, 5 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. She will also be missed by a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

We are awaiting the time when we can be reunited by the Tree of Live, and are attempting to “Not Cry Because The flame Went Out, But To Rejoice That It Burned So Brightly For So Many Years.”

[LynnDel]

Thank you for sharing your memories, Naomi. It's so good to know this goodbye is not forever.

Hugs & prayers,

LD

[Nan]

Saying goodbye is hard, but how blessed we have been, Naomi and I, to have had for so long mothers who have lived in the blessed hope and instilled that love into us, too.

Thank you for sharing this, Naomi.

[darlene]

Thanks for your memories, Naomi. It is good to hear your memories of your mother. You can tell she was a very special person. May God continue to be close to you and your family at this time.