Margaret Eleanor Mckinnis

McKINNIS Margaret Eleanor, age 94, was born May 20, 1921, in Toledo, Ohio and died October 20, 2015, in Oklahoma City. Margaret was fondly called "Marne" by her family and friends. Marne attended Oklahoma City public schools and became an accomplished opera singer after graduation from Oklahoma City University. Marne would often perform at musical events in Oklahoma City and elsewhere. Later in life, Marne graduated with a degree in nursing and worked as a nurse at a local bank and as a private nurse. Marne married the love of her life, Fred LeRoy McKinnis, on June 30, 1945, and from their marriage they had a daughter, Marne Megan McKinnis. Marne and Fred loved St. Patrick's Day and the Fourth of July holiday celebrations and would often host special parties at their home in Crown Heights. Marne was an active member for many years with Civic Music Association, Oklahoma City Philharmonic and the Regency Club. Marne will always be remembered for her joyous love of family, friends and life. Marne was preceded in death by her husband, Fred LeRoy McKinnis, their daughter, Marne Megan McKinnis, her parents, William Joseph (Sr.) and Katherine Ellenor McNalley Murphy, her brother, William Joseph Murphy, Jr., her uncle and aunt, William T. and Lottie Elizabeth McNalley Flippin, and additional relatives, Frank Powell McNalley, Marianne (Nancy) McNalley, Marie McNalley Tetrick, and James Lyndel Tetrick. Survivors include her cousins, Peggy Tetrick Fisher, Martha Tetrick Kopper and Paul James Kopper (godson), and many precious friends including Karen Marie Burns, Lillian Mae Lee, Cecilia Cole, Gayla Lynn Kubecka, Lisa Ann Lee, Stewart Lee Poling, Jeannie Houston, Maria Borja, Carolyn Lowrance, Billy Lowrance, Mary Ann McKenzie Mason, Tanya Mason Nicholson, Debbie Mason Mueller, Mark Allen Boothe, Julie Dalton, Lori Booth and Barbara Helen Brennan. Memorials may be made to Our Lady's Cathedral Renaissance Building Fund or the charity of your choice. Friends who wish to pay their respects may call at Smith & Kernke Funeral Directors, 14624 North May Avenue, on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A rosary and wake will be held at Smith & Kernke Funeral Home on Thursday, October 29, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 1:00 p.m. on Friday, October 30, 2015, in the cathedral at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 32nd & Western, with interment to follow at Rose Hill Burial Park.