Stephen Lynn Ennis was born in Tulsa on December 13, 1958, to Jimmy Dean and Loveta (Judkins) Ennis. He peacefully passed from this Earth into the arms of the Most High at his home on the morning of November 28, 2024. Stephen married the love of his life, Melody Jones, on April 2, 1994. From their union were born two children, Jacob Ennis and Ember Ennis.
Steve was raised on various family dairy farms. The first was located near Liberty Mounds, and the later at Tuskegee in Creek County. In his youth, he developed excellent horsemanship skills and was an active member of both the 4-H and FFA clubs. Years of labor on the family dairy operation persuaded Steve to develop a strong preference for beef cattle breeds. He often remarked to friends and family about how the dairy operation was quickly sold as soon as he left home to attend college.
After returning from his time at college, Steve chose to make his living running beef cattle. This was met with skepticism from his father and grandfather. However, Grandma E (Berthal), always his quiet encourager gave him the confidence to pursue his goals. His life work was rewarded in 2013 when he was awarded the Okmulgee County Cattlemen of the Year. He served on the board of directors for the Okmulgee County Cattlemen’s Association (OCCA) for 10 years and enjoyed assisting with the beef performance program. He had a strong passion for imparting his wisdom to future generations of cattle producers.
Time went on, hard work and trials ensued, but so did the growth of his operation and family. Many miles behind him, be it horseback, feed truck, or hauling cattle, he lived life on his terms and left a legacy in the hearts of his family and friends.
Family and friends will be amiss the next time they have a problem relating to cattle, horses, feeds or equipment, or to simply call to seek advice about the cattle sale or market this week.
It mattered not if you knew “Steve” from his personal life or from business you knew an American Cattleman.
Steve had a knack for spinning stories. Each time he told them his voice grew richer, his cember 13, 1958 – November 28, 2024
gestures more animated, and his eyes brighter with the spark of his memory. As the stories grew, so did the details: The horses ran faster, and the cows became wilder. Though people knew they’d heard the same tale before, it never mattered. They felt as though they were riding right alongside him.
Preceded in death by his grandparents Carl and Berthal Ennis, Faye Otto and Lois Judkins; and his parents Jimmy Dean and Loveta Ennis. Along with a cousin Scott Wilson as well as his father-in-law Don Jones.
He was survived by his loving wife Melody; son Jacob; and daughter Ember; and two grandsons Wyler and Marlowe Ennis.
His mother-in-law, Sue Jones. One sister, Cindy Atwell and her children Josh Atwell, Stephanie Callahan and husband Brice, Melissa Wesley and husband Justin. A host of nieces and nephews, Jobe and Brody Atwell, Maddie and Coy Callahan, Cameron and Kenzie Bond, Hoyt & Zhoie Wesley. His brother-inlaw Bill and wife Kelly; as well as sister-in-laws Darla Jones and Kathy Jones. Aunts Barbara Davis, Barbara Wilson and husband Charles and their son Darrell and his wife Karla Wilson as well as their children. Cousins Billy Bethel and Warren and Michelle Bethal. He also leaves a great aunt Juanita Whitaker, Roswell N.M.; great uncles Ralph Pollard, Hobbs, N.M and Condell Pollard, Bixby. Steve was a longtime member of the Nuyaka Baptist Church, the Oklahoma and Okmulgee County Cattleman’s Association, as well as the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA).
Visitation has been scheduled from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, December 5, 2024, in the Leonard-Marker Funeral Home. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 6, at Nuyaka Baptist Church, 2940 Lincoln Rd. in Okmulgee. Interment will follow at Beggs Cemetery.
