Claudie Ann Mckill

Claudie Ann (Alley) McKill was born November 16, 1948 in Pawnee, Oklahoma. She was the daughter of J.D. and Winnie (Ridley) Alley. She was raised in the Masham community in rural Pawnee County and attended school at Diamond Laird until high school, graduating from Pawnee in 1967. She went on to graduate from Ponca City School of Cosmetology.

Claudie Ann married Morris McKill on December 8, 1967 in Blackburn, Oklahoma. The couple made their initial home in Pawnee the first year, moving to the family ranch in 1969 where they remained for the entirety of their marriage, fifty-three years. They share a daughter, Callie McKill and granddaughter, Ridley McKill.

Claudie was a hairstylist in Pawnee for more than 35 years, first working for Leola Smith at Leola’s Beauty Shop for 30 years then opening a salon with her niece Marilyn Tanner until she retired. During her career she made many of the ladies in Pawnee beautiful and developed lifelong friendships while finding many opportunities for a good laugh. Claudie and Mares often experimented with the latest perms and styles on Callie whether she liked it or not!

Claudie was a longtime member of the Blackburn First United Methodist Church. The church provided the cornerstone for her strong faith she relied on throughout her life. Claudie worked side by side with Morris operating their farm and ranch. She enjoyed tending her flowers, feeding hummingbirds and many other outdoor activities. She had a great time at girls’ day out with her sister and nieces and was always ready to share a cup of coffee. She always had George Strait on the radio and attended dozens of his concerts over the years. She shared a love of sports with Callie and could frequently be seen at OSU basketball games or Cubs games on her many trips to visit Callie in Chicago. She never missed a travel opportunity even though she loved being at her home the most. She and Morris made their way to the Colorado mountains as often as possible, and she often accompanied Callie on her many work trips to places like Disney World, Boston, and her personal favorite, Las Vegas. Claudie was one of 6 siblings and she loved all of them and their families. She was over the moon when she welcomed her granddaughter Ridley into the world. She spent the entire summer in Chicago helping care for her as a newborn, and she often said it was the best summer of her life. She was the best mom and Grammie in the world and loved Morris, Callie, and Ridley with all her heart.

Claudie passed from this life on Friday, August 6, 2021, in Stillwater, Oklahoma at the age of seventy-two. Claudie was preceded in death by her husband, Morris McKill; her parents, J.D. and Winnie Alley; brothers, Albert and Joe Dale Alley; and sister, Verna Heisler.

She is survived by daughter, Callie McKill and granddaughter, Ridley McKill of Stillwater, Oklahoma; two brothers Don Allen Alley of Cushing, OK and David “Red” Alley of Pawnee, OK; and a number of relatives.

Visitation will be held at the Poteet Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Pawnee from 9:00 am until 7:00 pm Tuesday, August 10, 2021. A Celebration of Life service is scheduled at the Blackburn First United Methodist Church at 10:30 am Wednesday, August 11, 2021 with Lindee DeRoin officiating. Serving as pallbearers will be David Alley, Gene Heisler, Joe Alley, Brian Tanner, Brad Tanner, Greg Young, Adam Young, and Allan Young.

Interment will follow at the Masham Cemetery in Masham, Oklahoma under the direction of the Poteet Funeral Home. Friends may share a memory with the family at the funeral home or online at www.poteetfuneralhome.com.