Eloise Rodkey Rees

Eloise Rodkey Rees was born at home in Edmond January 28, 1918 and saw many changes in her hometown during her ninety-four years. Her father and mother, Earl and Emma Rodkey, were early Edmond pioneers. She studied drama at the University of Oklahoma, receiving a Master of Arts degree. That is where she met her life’s love, Kenneth W. Rees. They married in 1940 as World War II dawned, and she lived the next four years in many locations, following her husband from post to post until he shipped out for Europe in late 1944. Her first son, Kenneth Rodkey, was born before deployment, her daughter Carol, while he was overseas, and her second son Robert after he returned to Edmond and began a career as a petroleum engineer. Her entire life was inspired by her love of Christian Science and her unswerving trust in God. While her children were young her life was devoted to raising them and supporting her husband in his career. She was blessed with lifelong friendships with Edmond women drawn together in the absence of husbands in harm’s way. She enjoyed music and theater, using her talents in song and piano to entertain and instruct her family. As her children began leaving home she embarked on a career as a writer that would endure the rest of her life. A number of her novels were published, and in her later years she actively pursued production opportunities for her screenplays and lyrical songs. She was intensely interested in the family business and managed her own investments. She was a generous contributor to her community, serving with her PEO sisters on service projects and supporting the Edmond Public Schools Foundation, the University of Central Oklahoma, the Edmond Fine Arts Institute, the Edmond Historical Society and restoration of the historic Rodkey Mill and Rodkey home. She was an early member of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Oklahoma City and in recent years an active member of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Edmond. She is survived by her two sons and their wives, seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. A celebration of her life will be held at Baggerley Funeral Home in Edmond Saturday, February 18 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Edmond Fine Arts Institute (edmondfinearts.com) or Arden Wood, A Christian Science Care Facility (ardenwood.org). Services entrusted to the care of Baggerley Funeral Home of Edmond. www.baggerley.com