Orlena May York

Orlena May York, known as Nean to many, passed from this world into her heavenly home on Saturday, October 4, 2014 in the Life Care Center of Waynesville having attained the age of 92 years. Nean was born September 5, 1922 to Elvin and Nettie Bell Hill, the second of five daughters. She received her education at Prospect near Laquey, one of many one-room schools dotting the area at the time, and graduated there from sixth grade. At age ten, Nean was baptized into the body of Christ and was a life-long member of Idumea Baptist Church. On October 14, 1940, she was wed to Virgil Ellis York and to that union was born four children. Along with rearing her family, Nean worked outside the home as a factory worker, a cook at Laquey Schools and later as a laundress. She loved to embroider, crochet, quilt, garden and was often found reading her Bible. Her cooking was loved by all who sat at her table and her house was a regular stop on the trick-or-treat circuit for her infamous popcorn balls. A firm believer in the redemption of Christ, Nean was known to continually pray for her friends, neighbors, and family, particularly for them to find a lasting, loving, and trusting relationship with Jesus. All were welcome at her house where there was always a hug, a laugh, or the silence someone needed, along with a sugar cookie. Orlena was preceded in death by her parents, Elvin and Nettie of Laquey, Missouri, her husband, Virgil Ellis of Laquey, Missouri, and four sisters, Thelma, Lela, and Shirley all of Laquey, Missouri, and Emma of the state of California. All lay in interim at Idumea Baptist Church Cemetery where Orlena will also rest. She is survived by her four children, Ellis Ray York (Lorie) of Fairborn, Ohio, Dallas York (Linda) of Springfield, Ohio, Lyndal York (Peggy) of Laquey, Missouri and Violet McKinnon (James) of Laquey, Missouri along with eight grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, and eight great-great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Mom, Grandma, Orlena will be missed and remembered, but all can be assured in the knowledge she waits to welcome us all in to her new home with a hug, a laugh, or simple silence; and if heaven is anything like her house, a sugar cookie. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, October 7, 2014, in the Memorial Chapel of Richland with Rev. Danny Graves officiating. Peggy and Gary Humphrey sang “In The Garden” and “The Old Rugged Cross.” Serving as escorts were Lyndal York, Donald Kampe, Dallas York, Vincent Boggs, James McKinnon and John Heisner. Honorary escorts included Ellis Ray York, Richard York, Brian McKinnon, Steve York and Stan York. Burial followed in the Idumea Cemetery, Laquey, Missouri. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapel of Richland.

Orlena May York

September 5, 1922 - October 4, 2014