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On New Year’s Day 1916, a baby girl was born in Uncas, OK. The town is now underwater, under the reservoir near Ponca City., Oklahoma.
Today, 108-year-old Vangie Clendenin lives at the Golden Age Nursing Facility in Guthrie. Nicknamed “Vange” by her caretakers there, Clendenin spends her days relaxing in her big chair, eating prepared food and enjoying visits with her son, Robert. She remains sharp while reminiscing on her life, but also said, “I believe everyone has incredible stories.”
Sometime after Vangie Clendenin ( previously Keele) was born, a flood struck the town. Then, her parents, Jess and Hattie Keele, moved the family to Perry, Oklahoma, because Jess began working for the Santa Fe railroad.
Vangie recalled her mother being a great cook, and her childhood favorites were fried okra and butter beans, similar to lima beans. Her two brothers would put butter on bread and sugar, quite a dessert for kids living during the Great Depression.
Growing up in Perry in the 1920’s, Vangie and her sister, Lorraine, who was two years older, stumbled upon two kittens and took care of them, named “Bebe” and “Bobby.” The sisters would dress the kittens in baby clothes and stroll them around town in a wicker carriage. One day, though, the cats grew tired of that and jumped out of the buggy while dressed up and ran away, never to be seen again.
Once Jess became a railway manager, the Keele family moved to cities all over the state, like Chickasha, Noble and, eventually, Red Rock. After graduating from Red Rock High School, Vangie attended the Oklahoma Normal School in the 1930’s. It was established in 1890 and is one of the oldest universities in the state, now known as the University of Central Oklahoma.
The Normal School was renamed to Central State Teachers College in 1939. It was renamed again to Central State University in 1971. Finally, it was renamed to UCO in 1990._ Before becoming one of the first girls to get a dorm in the newly built Murdaugh Hall, she would travel from Perry to Edmond by train since her father worked for the railroad and she could ride for free.
“I’m pleased to brag that I’m from the OKC area,” Vangie said.
As a college student, she took typing classes, although she already had years of experience using her father’s typewriter. Jess was ahead of his time in the sense that he knew how important typing would become._ He also taught her how to use a telegraph. In class, she learned shorthand, which is_no longer taught at universities or schools, in general, anymore. This is largely due to technology and the ease of recording and transcribing words, although it is used frequently in the restaurant industry and can assist journalists to this day. Vangie did enjoy math and teaching others.
During this time, she met a young man pursuing his master’s degree in agricultural economics named John Clendenin. He graduated from Oklahoma State University as a member of the farmhouse fraternity, as well. John received his degree and the couple moved to Fort Worth, Texas, then Boston.
After graduation, she moved up to the midnorth of the state with her sister, above Oklahoma City and about 45 miles south of the Kansas border. She taught at a grade school South of Ponca City. To make money on the side, Vangie typed notes for professors at OSU.
Now, World War II was underway, America had just entered the conflict and Vangie Clendenin continued teaching all subjects, including typing. John volunteered after thinking he was going to be drafted. He became a Major and Paymaster while fighting for his country in the Pacific Islands. Back in Oklahoma, Vangie moved home with her parents.
After the Axis powers surrendered and the war was officially over, John returned home. They had a daughter, but Sue Ellen passed away at 19 months. John remained an officer, although he mainly worked a federal job at the stockyards in Nashville before deciding to stay in Kansas City, on the border between Kansas and Missouri.
Finally settled down, the lovers met with a builder and designed their dream home. The two-story red brick home had a green yard with large trees and textured brick and dirt pathways.
John and Vangie then had two children Connie, now 82, and Robert, 76. Robert went on to medical school and is a successful doctor today in northern Oklahoma.
The couple stayed in Kansas City and lived in the house for over 30 years. They also traveled the world, but Vangie’s favorite countries were Denmark and the Panama Islands.
John was a member of the Shawnee Mission and Roeland Park Methodist Church for over 50 years. The pair stayed in Kansas City, until John’s death in 2005.
With over a century of historical and life experiences, Vangie said, “I’m just thankful that everyone made my life a happy one.”
Today, Vangie Clendenin lives in the nursing facility and loves her roommate, Joyce Comely.
“I love my roommate [Joyce], she’s just great to be around. Her and Rob (son Robert) feel like they brought me back home,” Vangie said.
Vangie lights up with excitement whenever she sees her son’s face. Her love must radiate because her nurses smile every time they come in, hoping to hear more stories from a lovely woman who has lived 108 years.