Funeral services for Laurie Jo McKown are scheduled for Monday, January 17th at Emmanuel Baptist Church with Brother Gary Gunsolus officiating. Interment will follow in McKown Family Cemetery.

Laurie was born January 23, 1964, in Ardmore to Johnny Ray and Judy (Ford) Nichols. She passed this life in a local hospital on January 13, 2022.

She worked as a DJ for KELS as "Laurie on the Air" from 1980 to 1982.  It was at the radio station where she met the love her life, Alan Ray McKown. It was love at first voice, some might say!  Within 2 weeks they were engaged to be married. She graduated from Ardmore High School in 1982.  She later attended East Central University where she earned her bachelor's in Mathematics and master's degree in Education Technology. She worked for the Oklahoma School of Science and Math as an advanced placement calculus teacher for 13 years and taught in the community for 20 years.  After she retired from teaching, she started managing her daughter's mobile chiropractic business.

She and Dr. Alan Ray McKown were married on June 22, 1984. He preceded her in death on August 28, 2018. Many probably know, Alan never missed an opportunity to surprise her or shower her with fun (and sometimes even embarrassing) displays of affection. They were true Valentines.

Laurie was the epitome of the matriarch of her family, loving and full of heart. She had a passion for teaching, and the gift of conversation and quick wit, with a healthy dose of wisdom. She is survived by her daughter, Alex and her husband Chad Eubanks and their son Hunter Joe; son, Levi and his wife Kennedy who is currently expecting Harper Jo; brother-in-law, Mike McKown and his wife Alonie; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Linda and Joe McCleskey; Stepsister Jammey and her husband Chris Howard, and various other dear loved ones. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Alan Ray McKown; her father Johnny Ray Nichols; her Aunt Liz and Uncle Marvin Callender and niece Beth Knight.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Nathan Trout, Bill Lee, Chance Brown, Dustin Hector, Jeddie Harrison, and Stacy Aldridge. Former Students of OSSM are to serve as honorary Pallbearers.

Online condolences can be made at craddockfuneralhome.com