Mary Ellen McKean, 95, passed away Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011. Service: 3:30 p.m. Saturday in Greenwood Funeral Home Garden Chapel. Interment: Greenwood Memorial Park. With the help of Fanny, the family's housekeeper, and her mother's sister, Lottie Snyder Howell, Mary Ellen Davis McKean was born in the front room of the family home at 2013 Hurley Ave. on May 13, 1915. Through an extraordinary memory, her colorful stories painted a detailed picture of our ancestors' daily lives and passed on the history of generations gone to generations of the future. Mary Ellen was the daughter of Jennie D. "Aunt Ninnie" and Dr. Edwin "Uncle Doc'ee" Davis. She had one brother, Dr. Edwin Davis Jr. Mary Ellen grew up in Fort Worth and attended TCU. She graduated from the University of Texas and taught school. She married Carson Davis and enjoyed a happy marriage until his death just after World War II. She then went to the University of Colorado in Boulder for a degree in interior design. After a year in Lubbock, she returned to Fort Worth and managed Anderson Studios and decorated many homes and offices. In 1979, her childhood friend, Nolan McKean, proposed and they married and moved to Pampa. Mary Ellen and Nolan enjoyed 18 years together in Pampa. She remained in Pampa and maintained her home until 2007. Her return to Fort Worth provided hours of visiting time with family and friends. Since she never had her own children, she adored all the children in the family. For many generations she made Christmas stockings and clothes and bedspreads and was the "fun" aunt/cousin who would sit on the floor and play. Her quick wit, clever mind and amazing recall of verse made her an interesting conversationalist and her anecdotes were consistently cheerful. She followed current events and politics and was very clear about her opinions. Mary Ellen lived a full life and will be missed by all who knew her.
Published in Star-Telegram on January 14, 2011