Jessie Ellen O'Kane's Obituary
Jessie Ellen O’Kane, age 91, of Lakeland, Florida, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2026, surrounded by her three daughters. She was born in Russellville, Kentucky, on April 1, 1934, to parents, Jesse and Eula Morrow. Times were hard during her childhood. Her mother passed away when she was only three.
She was a student of the first graduating class of eighth grade at the Lakeland Adventist Church School.
She graduated from Lakeland High School in 1953 as a student of the DCT Program. She later met and married Harry Richard O’Kane at the age of 20. They had three girls: Cindy, Theresa, and Janet. They moved to the family homestead where they raised their girls surrounded by extended family. They were a great team in growing and preserving their homegrown vegetables.
She lived her faith which was evident in her relationships with all. At each stage of her life, she made friends that lasted her lifetime.
Her hobbies included Scrabble, Sudoku, scrapbooking, card making, and meeting new people.
Her greatest joy was the role of Gammy. She found many creative ways to spend quality time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was an active member of the Lakeland Seventh-day Adventist Church until her health no longer allowed her to attend.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Eula Morrow; husband, Harry Richard O’Kane; brother, Claude Morrow; and sister, Mildred Roney.
She is survived by her three daughters: Cindy (Bill) Wilkerson of Lakeland, Florida; Theresa O’Kane of Lakeland, Florida; and Janet (Rick) Halterman of Collegedale, Tennessee. She deeply loved her four grandchildren: Courtney (Fe) Alicea of St. Petersburg, Florida; Nick Griffin of Orlando, Florida; Jessica Halterman of Ooltewah, Tennessee; Rachel (Josef) Myers of Sandy, Utah. She was also blessed with two great-grandchildren: Aaron Alicea and McKenzie Alicea, both of St. Petersburg, Florida. She is also survived by her brother, Lester Morrow, of Lakeland, Florida, and many nieces and nephews.
The service will be held on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Lakeland Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1435 North Gilmore Avenue, Lakeland, Florida. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m.
She will be greatly missed by family and friends until the Great Resurrection when all will be reunited for eternity.
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