The final resting place of centenarian Charles Ellyson is on the east side of the Gracelawn Cemetery office. Charles and his wife Ruth share an upright marker that has the following inscription:
Ellyson
Ruth A.
Oct. 17, 1920
Nov. 4, 2012
Charles G.
Oct. 16, 1917
Sept.26, 2018
Charles' obituary from his Find a Grave memorial:. (
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Charles Glenn Ellyson, 100, died in the home he loved on the evening of September 25, 2018, just 3 weeks shy of his 101st birthday. He was born October 16, 1917 to Walter and Rosa (Jech) Ellyson on a farm near Crescent, Oklahoma. Charles, his mother, five brothers and one sister moved to Edmond in 1933, where they continued to farm. In 1937, following his high school graduation, he moved to Oklahoma City, where he attended and graduated from the National School of Business on a scholarship. On January 16, 1938 he married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Cline. They were married 75 years until her death in 2012. They moved from Oklahoma City to Kingfisher, Oklahoma, where he worked for Vaughn's Bakery and Long Bell Lumber. In August of 1942 they returned to Oklahoma City, and Charles joined the TG&Y Co., where he continued to work as a warehouse supervisor until his retirement on October 31, 1982.
Charles loved to fish, hunt, tinker with his cars, dance, listen to country music and work in his yard. He enjoyed spending time and traveling with best friends but most of all he loved to be in his home with Ruth surrounded by his family and friends. He was a lifelong member of Olivet Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, where, for many years he and Ruth ran the church clothing room for the needy. After Ruth's death, he continued to live in his home, enjoying the company of his family, neighbors and friends, sitting on his front porch, feeding the birds and telling his tales to all who would listen, but especially to his grandchildren. He prided himself on remaining active and independent. Charles was the patriarch of a family that spanned five generations, and was an active and treasured presence in the lives of all those around him. He was survived by daughter, Wanda Vernon of Oklahoma City; son, Wayne Ellyson of Oklahoma City; and daughter, Woneta Byrd of Edmond; as well as four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and other extended family. He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth; a son; two grandsons; his parents; five brothers, and one sister. His sense of humor, laugh and caring nature would be greatly missed by all those that loved him, and are comforted knowing that he happily ran along to rejoin his sweetheart and those that he loved and missed dearly to his finally rest. A memorial reception for Charles was held from 1:00-3:30 PM, Tuesday, October 2, at Smith & Kernke Funeral Directors on North May, followed by interment at Gracelawn Cemetery.