Ardell Mcatee

Ardell Jo-Ann Stephens McAtee, 81, was born August 3, 1935 in Macomb, Illinois to Cecil Earl Stephens and Opal Fay Hasten. Her heavenly homecoming was celebrated at her bedside in Panhandle, Texas on Thursday, June 15, 2017.

Funeral Services will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 19, 2017 at the River Church in Panhandle with Pastor Mark Urquhart officiating. Graveside services will follow in the Panhandle Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors of Panhandle.

Ardell worked at Western Union Telegraph in Maywood, Illinois following high school graduation. She met Larry "Okie" McAtee while he was an Army soldier at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. Following their wedding May 15, 1955 in Colchester, Illinois, they moved to Larry's hometown, Carter, Oklahoma, where they farmed. Ardell and Larry moved to Panhandle, Texas in 1959 where they have since resided.

Ardell worked at the Carson County Library as a clerk for approximately 20 years. After retirement she served on the Library Board, and volunteered as a docent for the Square House Museum. Ardell was often seen about Panhandle helping Larry in his landscaping business. She loved to cook and assisted in feeding the football players before games and her church's youth program. Ardell believed her God-given gift was hospitality which was an extension of her love.

Ardell is preceded in death by her husband Larry February 11, 2007; her parents; three infant brothers Donald, Francis, Harold, and a sister Helen.

Survivors include a son David McAtee and wife Mary of Edmond, Oklahoma; three daughters, Diana Perley and husband Howard of Amarillo, Cynthia Ackermann and husband Peter of Sugar Land, Cathy Story and husband Rod of Panhandle; two sisters Merna Jarvis and husband Don of Davenport, Iowa, Shirley White and husband Don of Smithfield, Illinois; eight grandchildren Jacob McAtee and Christopher marchetti of Seattle, Washington, Elizabeth McAtee and fiancé Andy Parker of Highland's Ranch, Colorado, Adam Ackermann and wife Rachel of Fort Worth, Alex Ackermann of Dallas, Tabitha Seitz and husband Cody of McLean, Austin Whitt and fiancé Tess Rusk of Stinnett, Jimmy Story and wife Jayme of Dallas, Johnny Story and wife Halei of Amarillo; five great grandchildren Ethan and Kaytie Seitz, Abigail Ackermann, Jacey and Jude Story, and a special family friend Charlie Russ.

She will be missed by a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Carson County Library, PO Box 339, Panhandle, Texas 79068, the Square House Museum, PO Box 276 Panhandle, Texas 79068 , The River Church, PO Box 325 Panhandle, Texas 79068, or the charity of personal choice.

Service

Funeral Service

The River
600 Euclid St.
Panhandle, TX  79068
Monday, June 19, 2017
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Panhandle Cemetery
East 6th. Street
Panhandle, TX  79068

Memorial Contributions

Carson County Library
PO Box 339
Panhandle, TX  79068

Square House Museum
PO Box 276
Panhandle, TX  79068

The River
PO Box 325
Panhandle, TX  79068