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Enid Ruth (Smith) McKey, 88, of Conroe, Texas, passed away on July 21, 2023.

Born on October 31, 1934 in Leggett, Texas, to parents Forrest and Edith (Ward) Smith, she was the oldest of four children.  Enid was a lifelong member of the Church by Christ Jesus in New Willard, Texas.  She spent her life there in God's service, singing hymns, providing piano accompaniment and enjoying fellowship with her church family and friends. It wasn't until her health failed that she could not attend there anymore, but she continued to keep God's word, her church, and her Bible close at heart.  Her devout belief in Jesus Christ and His love formed the cornerstone of her life; a faith and love that she shared through action, even more than words.

On February 2, 1951, at age 16, Enid married Edward McKey, the love of her life for over 58 years, until his passing in 2009.  They began their life together in the New Willard community not far from where her parents and siblings lived. He worked at the saw mill and she kept their home. Times were not easy in that mill town as they worked hard to build a life together and find ways to make ends meet, but they were devoted to God and each other.  In 1952, with the birth of their first child, Roy, their family began to grow. James, their beautiful daughter, Kathy, and Dexter all came in short order, each just two years apart. With three young children of their own and before Dexter was born, Enid and Ed revealed the depth of their commitment to family as they fought fiercely against prolonged opposition to adopt Ed's two younger brothers, Glen and Evan. Though Ed and many of his 14 siblings had been separated when they were orphaned years before he and Enid married, helping her husband to reunite with his brothers and sisters was important to Enid, and so this young couple brought Glen and Evan into their home and raised them alongside their four children. An unwavering dedication to family – her own family, her husband's family, and her church family – was a defining quality of her character. She loved unconditionally.

Enid's love of family also shone in the way that the McKey house had an open door and was the gathering place for many on weekends and holidays. If you wanted to visit with Enid, though, you'd better head to the kitchen where she was peeling potatoes for the French fries that were part of every meal except breakfast, or had flour flying while rolling out dough for chicken and dumplings. She nurtured her family through the foods they loved: her homemade mac and cheese, enchiladas, fried pies, lemon icebox pie, strawberry cake, and, let us not forget, her homemade banana nut ice cream. Christmas was a particularly special time for hosting, with the chocolate and coconut cream pies, Martha Washingtons, Rice Krispi treats, and pecan sandies she prepared, all part of the "sweet" memories she helped to create for her family.

Though hosting family and friends meant that she spent a lot of time in the kitchen, don't think she ever hesitated to join in playing games or having fun fishing or camping, because she loved it all and she was quite competitive, too. Enid's children remember her as an accomplished horsewoman, riding bareback through the piney woods with them, or sitting out under a shade tree talking about all the things they loved. She spent time playing with them when they were young and continued to do so as they grew older.  She loved to ride 4-wheelers, fish, and garden and did so for years with her kids and their kids.

While Enid had definite opinions and ideas, she also had a pleasant and welcoming demeanor. She didn't complain, and if only one thing could be said of her, it's that she was a hard worker and always in service of others. She worked in meat processing and then as an in-home childcare provider while she raised her own young family. Her work in childcare continued at Little Britches Daycare in Livingston, Texas.

Her work ethic extended beyond a Monday to Friday work schedule; in her non-working hours, she learned to play the guitar and developed practical talents that served the needs of her family – sewing clothes for herself and her grandchildren; crocheting blankets for her family; dabbling in woodworking; cultivating a bountiful garden to supply fresh vegetables for her own kitchen and her children's kitchens and the kitchens of countless others over the years. When her children were grown, Enid and Ed opened their own meat processing business at their home that boomed during hunting season. Throughout their lives, they worked together on countless home improvement projects at their Bold Springs home, always rallying the troops together to help. Though Enid loved Falcon Crest and Dallas and reading, her life was primarily one of movement and work. She was a do-er and did whatever needed to be done, whenever it needed doing – from caretaking in illness and infirmity to hosting and cooking, her love was spoken in action.

Enid McKey is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edward McKey; her daughter, Kathy McKey Hollinger; and her brother, Glen Smith.

Mrs. McKey is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Roy McKey and Vickie, of Lufkin, Texas, James McKey and Jackie, of Conroe, Texas, Dexter McKey and Michelle of Willis, Texas; grandchildren, Lana McKey Martin, Josh McKey, Jami McKey Watts, Clay McKey, Tanya Hendrix Sharron, Eric Hollinger, Jeremy McKey, Shaun McKey, and Justin McKey; great-grandchildren, Danielle Martin, Abigail McKey, Clara Watts, Sadie Watts, Daniel Sharron, Cole Sharron, Luke Hollinger, Liam Hollinger, Parker McKey, Ty McKey, Crixus McKey, and Kiera McKey; brother, Audrey Smith; sister, Vaudene Gates; brother-in-law, Glen McKey; sister-in-law, Louise McShan; along with numerous beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers for the service are grandsons Jeremy McKey, Shaun McKey, Justin McKey, Eric Hollinger, Josh McKey, and Clay McKey. Honorary pallbearers are brother, Audrey Smith and brother-in-law, Glen McKey.

The family extends special thanks to Enid's sister, Vaudene Gates of Goodrich, Texas, and her family for their years of loving care. Also, thank you to Park Manor Nursing Home of Conroe, Texas, for caring for Enid and keeping her children well informed until the end.

Visitation will be held at Cochran Funeral Home in Livingston, Texas, on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life memorial service is being held at Cochran Funeral Home in Livingston, Texas, on Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Harold Followwell officiating. Internment and graveside service will follow the Thursday service and will be held at Holhausen-Derby Historical Cemetery near Moscow, Texas.

The family thanks you all for taking the time to read their mother's obituary, and please know the family covets your prayers. Donations can be made in Enid's honor to the Alzheimer's Association or to the Church by Christ Jesus.