Mildred Lucille Kellum

Mildred Lucille Kellum, West Plains, Missouri, entered the Kingdom of Heaven on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at the age of 85.

Lucy is survived and will be lovingly missed by her husband of 71 years, George Parnell (Mike) Kellum; four children, Dianna Sigert and husband, Lee, Willow Springs, Missouri, Danny Kellum and wife, Deborah, Tyler, Texas, Bert Kellum and wife, Lori, Baxter Springs, Kansas and Phyllis Shannahan and husband, Daniel, San Angelo, Texas; and one sister, Carol Jo Marley and husband, Henry, Baxter Springs, Kansas.  Lucy cherished her special relationships with her grandchildren, Jubal Sigert, Joshua Sigert, Lindsay Casillas, Ashley Garcia, Joseph Kellum, Nicholas Kellum, Kelsey Kellum, Randi Shannahan and Danika Johnson.  She also delighted in eleven great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, five sisters and one grandson, John Paul Shannahan.

On March 7, 1938, Lucy was born to Walker and Mamie (Grizzard) Floyd in Duncan, Oklahoma.  With only a 7^th grade education, she attended nursing school at New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs, New Mexico and became a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1970.  Lucy worked in ICUs at Lea County General Hospital and Eunice Hospital (New Mexico) and served as a school nurse for Eunice schools from 1977 until she retired in 2006.  She helped establish the Eunice Health Clinic and served on the board for years.  Even in retirement, her service endured:  Family, friends, neighbors and strangers depended upon Lucy to nurse everything from skinned knees to broken hearts.  Ever devout, Lucy was a member of Eunice First Baptist Church in Eunice, New Mexico and after moving closer to her daughter, Dianna, in West Plains, Missouri, she attended Pomona Christian Church in Pomona, Missouri.  She enjoyed softball, bowling, crocheting, square dancing and pickles.

A fierce matriarch, Lucy championed righteous love – “tough love” – speaking truth with unflinching resolve even to the closest to her.  Lucy’s community aspired to her blessing.  Everyone sought her wise counsel and strived to embody her discipline.  Her door was always open to those in need of advice, which she administered over a resolute crochet hook, clothing and comforting as much of the world as she could reach.  Hard work was a certainty, but she had a knack for turning work into play.  Steadfast in all things, she sacrificed for those she loved, those she knew and those she didn’t.

Lucy’s family mourns the loss of their wife, mom, sister, Granny, Aunt, friend and wisest counselor, but her life is an exhortation for them to succeed her faithfully and preserve her colossal legacy. They vow, like Lucy, to always “leave everything better than you found it.”

Memorial services will be held at a later date in Eunice New Mexico.  In lieu of flowers and gifts, donations may be made in memory of Lucy Kellum to:  Eunice Health Clinic, Attn:  LeAnn Reeves, PO Box 239, Eunice, New Mexico 88231.  Please make checks payable to “Eunice Health Clinic.” 

Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.