Stella Mae ROCKWELL

Enid News and Eagle Enid, Garfield Co., OK Sunday June 13, 1993

Submitted by: Sylva Rhodes

STELLA MAE (CAMPBELL) ROCKWELL

Stella Mae (Campbell) Rockwell was born February 10, 1914 to Thomas Franklin and Martha Estes Jones Campbell in Olive Township, Garfield County, OK. She married Glenn Franklin Rockwell March 16, 1934, and the couple served in pastorates in Jet, Carnegie, Altus and Helena, Okla. and two separate pastorates in New York City. She graduated from Enid High School in 1931 and earned her A.B. and B.S. in 1943. She completed her M.A. in Education in 1958 from Phillips University.

Her professional career spanned 30 years as teacher, principal, Curriculum Coordinator, and Administrative Assistant and Director of Elementary Education retiring in 1976. Her interests were rich and varied. She enjoyed music, poetry, art, camping, travel, genealogy and historical research.

She was a member of many historical and professional organizations. Her contributions to local history included, co-author of O COUNTY FACES AND PLACES; long time editor of the JOURNAL OF THE CHEROKEE STRIP; active participant in the establishment of the Museum of the Cherokee Strip; editor and author of major historical sections in GARFIELD COUNTY, 1893-1982.

In 1974 she received the Schoolmen Medal from the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge in recognition of curriculum materials concerning American Heritage. She was honored as Outstanding Citizen of the Year in 1982 by the Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce.

As an administrator in the Enid Public Schools she was proud to have helped implement many innovative programs including: establishing central libraries in every elementary school, summer school programs, kindergartens, inservice workshops, grade chairman programs, drug use prevention, and parent teacher conferences.

She is survived by her husband Glenn F. Rockwell; her four children: Richard R. Rockwell of Aurora, Colorado, James D. Rockwell of Enid, Dorothea R. Staley of The Colony, Texas and G. Michael Rockwell of White Salmon, Washington. Her six grandchildren: Christina and Jennifer Rockwell, Larry and Tabitha Rockwell, and David and Amer Staley. Surviving brothers and sisters are: Neil Campbell, Ted Campbell, Mrs. Haskell (Irene) Lemon, and Mrs. Harry (Doris) Royer.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday at the University Place Christian Church with Minister Maribeth Blackman-Sexton officiating. Burial will be in the Enid Cemetery under the direction of the Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the Enid Museum of the Cherokee Strip with the Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.