Evelyn Marie Elkouri Connor, 81, passed away December 10, 2010 after a short illness. Evelyn was the daughter of Richard and Rosa Elkouri. She was born in Grandfield, Oklahoma on November 23, 1929. She had two older sisters, Dorothy and Virginia, who preceded her in death. She has a younger brother, Richard, Jr., and his wife Le Ann, and a younger sister, Loretta. Evelyn was a 1948 graduate of Snyder High School. A Bachelor's degree was earned at Southwestern State University and a Master's degree at The University of Oklahoma. She married William L. Connor on March 29, 1953. They had three children. DeWayne, who passed away on December 5, 2009 after a valiant battle with cancer, is survived by his wife Betty. Another son, Phillip Derek, died at three months of age. Gina Faith Lewis, her daughter, is married to Terry Lewis. Their children are Ryan and Brandon. Evelyn enjoyed being with her family. She spent many vacations with her family traveling to various parts of the world. She liked to read, knit, and watch T.V. She retired from teaching English in public high schools after thirty eight years. Her teaching career began with a little country school, Hiway, and as the years progressed she taught at Snyder, Tipton, Central High, Duncan, Crooked Oak, and finally in the Moore School system. She was a senior class sponsor and also at one time a National Honor Society sponsor. For the past thirteen years she enjoyed being a substitute teacher in the Moore system. She was a member of the Methodist Church from childhood. She was comfortable being who she was -- no pretense. A memorial service will be held at Southern Hills United Methodist Church, 8200 S. Pennsylvania, Oklahoma City on Saturday, December 18, at 2:00 p.m.

Published in The Oklahoman on Dec. 16, 2010