Alberta Mckay

Alberta R. McKay, 97, a long-time resident of Bartlesville, Oklahoma died Saturday, February 20, 2021, at her home. She was surrounded by her loving family.

Alberta Beatrice Renfro McKay was born December 21, 1923 in Big Cabin, Oklahoma, the only daughter of Joseph Walter Renfro and Myrtle Mae Lord Renfro. Alberta grew up on the family farm with five brothers, and graduated from Big Cabin High School in 1941.

Alberta furthered her education at the Tulsa Business School before securing employment as a legal secretary with Phillips Petroleum Company in 1948. She was a member of the First Methodist Church, where she met her future husband, Dwight Lamar McKay, and later East Cross United Methodist.  Dwight and Alberta were married in the First Methodist Church, in Vinita on October 14, 1950. They resided their entire married lives in Bartlesville.

She was passionate about cooking, with several recipes published in various national magazines. She was a skilled seamstress and enjoyed gardening and involvement in her children’s activities, especially the Phillips 66 Splash Club where she served many years as a judge, clerk of the course, and trip team chaperone.

Alberta was cheerful, hard-working, modest, nurturing, and devoted to her family -- an excellent role model for her children, grandchildren, and those around her.

Alberta was preceded in death by Dwight, her beloved husband of 62 years and brothers Raymond, Harold, Dr. Bobby Lee, and Billy Pat Renfro. Remaining to honor her memory are her brother Jack Renfro of Bartlesville, sister-in-laws Virginia Renfro of Magnolia, Texas and Pen Renfro of Bartlesville, children Cheryl and husband Charles Dorrell of Dallas, Texas, Mark and wife Denise McKay of League City, Texas, and Janice and husband Thomas Freet of Spring, Texas, along with grandchildren Allison Freet, Laura Freet, Thomas Freet, Dr. Joshua McKay and wife Dr. Crystal Bowden McKay, Jonathan McKay, great-grandchildren Vivian and Holden McKay, and her beloved caregiver of many years, Renee Snyder.