Marcella's Obituary
Marcella Gertrude Keller was born on October 11, 1921 to Mathias and Ethelburg (Heger) Keller in El Reno, Oklahoma and passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at the age of 101 years, 1 month, and 18 days. Marcella was a beloved Mammie and mom to her family who will all miss her dearly.
Marcella attended Sacred Heart Catholic School in El Reno before moving to Hydro, Oklahoma where she graduated in 1939. After graduation, she worked in Hydro at Basinger General Store, Kirpatrick’s Filling Station and Cabins, and Heger Grocery Store (for her uncle Charles) while her sister, Loretta, took over all the duties on the farm after their father’s passing. At Kirpatrick’s Cabins, Marcella cleaned six cabins, washed sheets in an old foot pedal powered Maytag washing machine, and hung the sheets on a clothesline to dry. Because she was such a hard worker, she made $4.00 per week which was $1.00 more than the other hired help. She was able to buy herself a car plus many furnishings for the house on the farm.
In the 1950’s, Marcella moved to Weatherford where she worked nineteen years at Eaton’s IGA and at 3M for fifteen years, eventually retiring in 1993.
Marcella never married or had children of her own, but she has two special nieces who became her daughters. She lived her last thirty years with her daughter, Brandie Smith. She helped raise her grandchildren, Kenlee Smith Copeland and Dyson Smith, living with them from the day they were born until the day they moved out on their own. She was also a loving Mammie to three additional grandchildren, Lillyanna Puente, Connor Pair, and Taylor Pair.
Marcella enjoyed spending time at home with her family, over-watering her flowers, working jigsaw puzzles, and feeding her fat cats. In the summer of 1986, she won the Green Spade Award for the best yard in Weatherford.
Marcella is survived by her two daughters and their husbands, Brandie and Travis Smith and Bridget and Steven Pair all of Weatherford; one sister, Loretta Marshall of Hydro; five grandchildren, Kenlee Copeland and husband Tacoma, Dyson Smith, Lillyanna Puente, Connor Pair, and Taylor Pair all of Weatherford; two nieces Celia Marshall and Rhonda Marshall of Hydro; and two nephews and their wives, Bernie and Laura Marshall of Hydro, and Carlos and Terri Triplett of Weatherford.
Marcella was preceded in death by her parents, Matt and Ethel Keller, two sisters, Mona Rita Ford and Roberta Williams, and two nieces, Twila Marshall, and Sheila Triplett.
