Lora Mae Beaver

Lora Mae (Wilson) Beaver, Yukon, OK was born on February 14, 1935 to Jesse Samuel and Lorene Pearl (Winter) Wilson. She passed from this life on Friday, July 11th, 2025 in Ada, OK at the age of 90.

Lora was born and grew up in Stringtown, OK during the Great Depression. She was the oldest of 9 children. She attended Stringtown Grade School and High School.

She developed strength and a resilient determination to weather the storms of life. Her years were filled with challenges, as well as the pursuit of living life to the fullest. She was of the Baptist faith.

She married Roy Kennedy Jr in 1953. To that union, two children, Linda Mae and Darrell Roy were born.

In 1959, she began her career at Western Electric (later AT&T) in Oklahoma City, retiring in 1991 after 32 years of service.

She married Jim Beaver in 1978. They resided in Oklahoma City and Yukon. Lora later relocated to Mustang, OK and lastly moved to Ada as a resident of Baptist Village and Kyrie Assisted Living.

She loved crafting, quilting, needlepoint, crocheting, and was a master seamstress. She enjoyed bluegrass music, through which she and Jim developed lasting friendships while attending gatherings and shows. In later years, she and her daughter, Linda, became traveling buddies, taking many bus tours to various sites of interest around the country.

Lora enjoyed being around people. She loved spending time with cherished friends at the Mustang Senior Center and the Mustang Heights Baptist Church where she attended each week.

Preceding her in death were her parents; a brother Jesse Wilson Jr.; husband, Jim Beaver; daughter, Linda Loftis; son, Darell Kennedy; and stepson, Marlon Beaver.

She is survived by her grandchildren: Jason Self, Jerri Dawn Baker, Zac Kennedy, and Jamie Bearshield; step-grandchildren: Randy Knecht, Valerie Rankin, and Jennifer Dewey; several great and great-great grandchildren; stepdaughter, Christine Knecht, and daughter-in-law, Dana Kennedy. Also surviving are her siblings: Sam Wilson (Jeanie), Wilburn Wilson (Ruth), Peggy Rains, Bill Wilson, Bob Wilson (Priscilla), Helen Wilson, Glenda Benefield (Don), and a host of nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Lora loved attending family gatherings on many occasions throughout the years. She celebrated her 90th birthday in Ada with her 7 siblings and families in February 2025. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Viewing will be held from 9:00 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., with funeral services following at 2:00 p.m., on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at the Yanda & Son Funeral Home Chapel, Yukon, OK. Interment will will follow at the Yukon Cemetery.