Emilie Mary Portwood

Emilie Mary Kajs Portwood was born May 25, 1932 on a farm near Harrold (Wilbarger County) TX to Antone Kajs and Bertha Havelka Kajs. She was the eldest of 10 children. She attended Riverside School near Thalia, Texas and Crowell High School (Crowell, TX) graduating in 1949. She attended Draughon's Business School in Wichita Falls, TX and began working at the Wichita Falls Board of Education.Emilie married Dewey W. Portwood on August 7, 1951 at Camp Rucker in Ozark, AL. She worked at Camp Rucker- United States Army Hospital. After Dewey's discharge in 1954, they returned to Wichita Falls, TX, Emilie worked for Pontiac Drilling Co. and H.O. Grace Drilling CO until Dewey was transferred to Oklahoma City in February 1962. She was a stay-at-home Mom to their children: Kathy, Lisa, Chris and Margaret. Emilie began to work part time in 1970 at St. Eugene School, OKC, and full time in 1972 and remained secretary of the school until retiring in 1995.Preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Edward; granddaughter, Amelia; and husband, Dewey; Dewey died on June 1, 2010 after 58 years of marriage; sister- in-law, Gena Kajs; and brother-in-law, Jim Brown. Survived by her children, Kathy Seitsinger (Delby) of Ponca City, OK; Lisa Maxson; Chris Portwood (Janet) and Margaret Muckleroy, all of OKC. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Cory Maxson (Kathryn) of Edmond, Sam Rogers (Savannah) of Shawnee, Lance Portwood of Houston, Lauren Portwood of Kansas City, Jessie Muckleroy of OKC and Lizzie Muckleroy of OKC; two great grandchildren, Charity Rose Maxson and Scotlyn Mia Maxson of Edmond, OK. Also survived by 2 sisters, Evelyn Brown of Wichita Falls, TX and Betty Moore of Hobbs, NM and 6 brothers, Antone Kajs of Winston-Salem, NC; Eugene Kajs of Wichita Falls, TX; Johnny Kajs (Hazel) of Crowell, TX; Lewis Kajs (Rose Lee) of Crowell, TX; Thomas Kajs (Darlene) of Vernon, TX and Robert Kajs of Crowell, TX and sister-in-law, Esther Frerich of Crowell, TX.Emilie was active at St. Eugene's as a lay minister for 18 years, girl scout leader, Boy Scouts leader, delivered mobile meals, St. Teresa Guild, St. Eugene Altar Society, and played in St. Eugene's Card Circle and was Canasta score keeper.Visitation will be from 8:00am to 6:00pm with an Evening Prayer Service at 7:00 pm, Thursday, March 12, 2020, at Smith and Kernke Chapel, May Avenue. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am, Friday, March 13, 2020, at St. Eugene Catholic Church.