Funeral services were held Saturday May 30, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, Leedey, OK with burial following in Red Star Cemetery, Leedey, OK
Lorena Bell Swank McLean, 96 year old former Leedey resident, passed from this life on May 27, 2015, at the Vici, OK Nursing Home where she has lived since 2014. Lorena was born the eighth child to James and Sarah (Mauldin) Swank on April 12, 1919, on the Swank homestead southwest of Leedey in Roger Mills County. She attended Red Star School through eighth grade and then attended Leedey High School, graduating with the class of 1939. She was the first of her seven siblings to graduate from high school.
On December 13, 1939, Lorena married Stell McLean in Woodward. They lived on the McLean’s Ranch west of Leedey. On January 9, 1945, Stell was drafted into the U.S. Army and was sent to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina and then to Ft. Ord, California, for training.
Lorena followed him both places and when Stell was shipped overseas, she returned home to Leedey and worked as a clerk at Joe Cates’ Grocery Store for ten years. She then worked at the Leedey School Cafeteria and retired 28 years later having worked her way up to Cafeteria Manager. She ran a strick kitchen, but she loved the kids and enjoyed cooking for them and the school staff.
Following World War II, Stell returned home and after ten years of marriage, they were blessed with two daughters, Lorena Tylene and Lana Sue. In 1955, the family moved into town so the girls wouldn’t have to ride the school bus so far. Lorena was baptized at an early age and after moving to town became a member of the Leedey United Methodist Church.
Her grandfather, George Mauldin, was the first member listed on the Leedey United Methodist Church Books. Lorena was a very active member of the WSCS, later named UMW, and various ministries of the church.
Lorena enjoyed fishing and cooking in her spare time, but she loved taking food and visiting the ill and the older shut-in adults of the community. She was always willing to lend a helping hand and put the needs of others before her own.
Lorena was preceded in death by her husband Stell McLean, parents James and Sarah Swank, two sisters Emma McKay and Lila McClaren, five brothers, Swan Swank, Oral Swank, Cecil Swank, Joe Swank, and Floyd Swank.
Lorena is survived by two daughters Tylene McCracken and husband John of Leedey and Lana Carpenter and husband. Steve of Tecumseh; two grandsons: Stell Tipton McCracken of Washington and Colby McLean Carpenter and wife Emily of Shawnee; two great-grandchildren Cayden and Quinn Carpenter of Shawnee; and many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Condolences may be made to the family at shawfuneralhome.net.
Elk City Daily News, May 31, 2015