Elinor Rita Lottinville

Elinor Lottinville, a passionate learner and mentor to many, an avid volunteer, and a die-hard Sooner fan, passed away peacefully on the 2^nd of April, 2024 at the age of 86, surrounded by her loving family. Ellie was born to Savoie and Rita Lottinville on June 12, 1937, and grew up with her sister in Norman, Oklahoma.

Ellie was a scholar who began her academic journey in 1955, graduating from Mary C. Wheeler in Providence, Rhode Island. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education at Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma and achieved two master’s degrees: one in education from the University of Central Oklahoma and a second in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Oklahoma. She completed her scholastic journey with a Ph.D. in Psychology, also from University of Oklahoma.

Ellie was kind-hearted and strongly desired to help people during difficult times. Early on, she taught English at Eisenhower Jr. High and John Marshall High School in Oklahoma City.

Ellie went on to work for the Oklahoma Health Department providing counseling and debriefing services to employees and residents across the state. Following her Ph.D., she opened a private practice with her husband, Vernon Enlow and provided counseling for the next ten years. In 1995, following the Alfred P. Murrah building bombing in which 168 individuals died, Ellie assisted in death notifications to grieving families. After the bombing, she spent thirteen years as a volunteer for the Oklahoma National Memorial Museum. She was recognized there for her volunteer work and honored as the Outstanding Volunteer of the Year.

Ellie never shied away from someone in need and began a long and fulfilling retirement using her experience and training by volunteering for many organizations. Ellie was especially proud of her twenty-year volunteer tenure at the American Red Cross and as a member of the CHAPPS team, involving debriefings with the Oklahoma City first responders.

Ellie had a strong life-long faith, was tireless in her endeavors to help others, she had a wicked sense of humor, a love of political discussion, and was a self-appointed assistant football coach during the OU season. Ellie was totally committed to whatever she was a part of and that carried over when she and Vernon moved to Touchmark at Coffee Creek retirement community. She dove in and was an active member of the close community. She loved her many friends dearly, the substantive dining room conversations and, of course, was elected as the President of the Resident Council twice. 

Ellie was preceded in death by her husband, R. Vernon Enlow; her son, Geoffrey B. Jones; her parents, Savoie Lottinville and Rita Higgins Lottinville; and her sister, Marie L. Livesay.

Ellie is survived by her daughter, Kelli Fondren of Houston, Texas, and her son, Michael D. Jones of Salida, Colorado. She is also survived by grandchildren, Lindsey Smith (Jared), Chase Fondren (Keni), Ryan Fondren (Jenna), Micheal Anderson (Quint), Taylor Jones, and Miles Jones, and eleven great-grandchildren, including Ella, Wyatt, Turner, Briggs Fondren, Ryan Marie, Carson, and Luke Smith, William and Mackenzie Fondren, Radley and Rocky Anderson.

A memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o'clock in the morning on Saturday, the 13rd of April, at Smith Kernke Funeral Home, 14624 North May Ave in Oklahoma City. Immediately following the service, the family will greet friends in the adjacent gathering room.

In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in Ellie’s memory may be directed to The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum (www.memorialmuseum.com), The American Red Cross (www.redcross.org) or Citizens Caring for Children (www.cccokc.org).