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Memorial service for Maye Adele Kirtley, 92-year-old Enid, Okla., resident, will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014, at First United Methodist Church of Enid, where she was a long-time member. The Rev. Susan Southall will officiate. Private burial will precede the memorial service. Arrangements are under the direction of Henninger-Hinson Funeral Home.
Maye Adele was born May 6, 1922, in Enid, Okla., to Faye Adele Thurman Beckham and John Leslie Beckham and died Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014, in Enid.
Maye Adele graduated from Enid High School in 1940, then attended Oklahoma A&M, and graduated from the University of Texas in 1944, with a degree in physical education. In 1943, she married James William Kirtley and was married to him for 53 years before his death in 1996.
Maye Adele was greatly inspired by her grandmother, who homesteaded 160 acres near Meno, Okla., as a single woman in her 20s, determined to make it on her own, while teaching children in a dugout two miles away.
Maye Adele was an advocate for equality and empowerment. Starting in the early 1960s, when she was director at the YWCA, the Enid native campaigned on behalf of young women to build a safe haven from domestic violence at the YWCA.
During the same time period, she coordinated a weekly program to assist developmentally disabled young women at Enid State School, who were transitioning into independent living. Kirtley aimed to teach young women about politics and the government through Girls State and by joining with her church to bring all denominations together for community events such as celebrations surrounding Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Maye Adele was a staunch supporter of the arts in Enid and throughout her life promoted music by serving on the boards of both the Tri State Music Festival and Enid Symphony Orchestra.
She is survived by her son, Michael Kirtley and wife Judy of Chester, Okla.; daughter, Rebekah Kirtley Ambrosini and husband Jeffrey of Norman, Okla.; son, Robert Kirtley and wife Gunilla of Falkenberg, Sweden; son, Richard Kirtley and wife Mary of Meno, Okla.; and her sister, Joan Leslie Beckham Whitmore of Ann Arbor, Mich.; grandchildren, Chris Kirtley and wife Laura of Castle Rock, Colo., Talla Ambrosini of Norman, Braxton Kirtley and wife Meghan of Enid, Erik Kirtley of Stockholm, Sweden, Luca Ambrosini of Norman, Sara Kirtley of Malmoe, Sweden, Ali Kirtley of Alva, Okla., and Madeline Kirtley of Meno; and great-grandchildren, Katherine and Olivia Kirtley of Castle Rock, Colo., and Elsa Adele Kirtley of Enid. Maye Adele also is survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and honorary family members.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, James; daughter, Kathy Kirtley Landers; son, Johnny Kirtley; and brothers, Robert Beckham, Leslie Beckham and J.W. Beckham.
Memorial contributions may be made to the YWCA of Enid and the Christmas Tree Fund at the FUMC, Enid, with Henninger-Hinson acting as custodian of the funds.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.enidwe care.com.
(Submitted by family)
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