Charalyn Daralynn Mcvey

“I have fought the good fight, I finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 Charalyn McVey departed this life and went to be with the Lord on March 17, 2023. Despite being stricken by the horrible disease of dementia over ten years ago, throughout it all she remained the faithful, peaceful, patient, loving and very kind person that she was for the entirety of her life. “Way to go Mom, for the example you were, as to how to live life, not only to us but also those around you”.

Charalyn Calkins McVey was born on September 24, 1940, in Ponca City to parents Darald and Florence Calkins. She graduated from Cushing High School in 1958 and then attended Business College in Oklahoma City. Upon completion of Business College, she returned to Cushing and worked for the City utility billing department. It is during this time that she began dating the love of her life Duane McVey. They were married on December 23, 1960, in Cushing, and a short time later they moved to Chandler where Duane began his career with the OSU Extension service. They remained in Chandler from 1961 until 1969 during this time they were blessed with the births of their two children Kent and Jennifer. As Duane’s career advanced they also lived in Cherokee and eventually Stillwater. Charalyn worked as the administrative assistant to the Regional Manager for Carmike Cinemas until shortly after Duane’s retirement in 1994. Throughout their marriage Duane and Charalyn owned farms in Lincoln and Payne counties and enjoyed raising their Polled Hereford cattle. Charalyn’s greatest joy In life was her family. She spent countless hours at 4-H events and cattle shows with her husband and children. Charalyn’s second joy in life were her pets including numerous cats and a mastiff dog she adopted and named Buster. Life took an unexpected turn in 1999 when Duane passed away suddenly, and Charalyn was devastated by his loss. Eventually in 2008 Charalyn decided to return to Chandler to be near her family and it is where she remained until her passing.

Charalyn is survived by her son Kent McVey and his wife Gina, daughter Jennifer McVey Rose and husband Stuart, granddaughter Chelsea McVey Lowery and her husband Christopher, grandson Brooks McVey, brother Larry Calkins and his wife Cathy, sister-in-law Karen Calkins, sister-in-law Janice McVay, nephew Craig Calkins and family, niece Tammy McVay Novotny, and family, nephew Brian Calkins and family, nephew Shawn McVay and family, her wonderful caregivers over the past ten years, Denise, Ladonna, Kaleen, Gina and Vivian, extended family and countless friends.

Charalyn was preceded in death by her husband Duane McVey, parents Darald and Florence Calkins, brother Douglas Calkins, nephew Brett Calkins, father and mother in-law Melvin and Eva McVey, and brother-in-law Richard McVay.