"Okey--Known As Pete"

 

"Okey--Known As Pete" is a poem about Okey Lewis Kennison, who passed away at 70 years old on Sunday, December 4, 1949, in Hillsboro. He died from a paralytic stroke.

Additional details from Kennison's obituary:

• His funeral service was at Hillsboro Methodist Church on a Tuesday afternoon.
• Rev. T. E. Painter was the pastor that officiated the service.
• He was buried in the family plot at Oak Grove cemetery.
• He was the son of the late D. C. and Rebecca Lewis Kennison.
• He never married.
• He is survived by a sister, Mrs. John D. Payne.

The poem "Okey--Known As Pete" reflects on fond memories of Kennison and portrays him as a familiar, kindly figure in the community.

Some of the lines of the poem include:

• "Like silent armies marching on, the swift years pass away, Leaving but a memory of by-yesterday".
• "Beams on the kindly countenance of Okey--Known as "Pete"".
• "She lingers at the mill gap now - perhaps she wants to see, If Okey picked a pippen as he passed the apple tree".
• "Again she's at the counter down in a village store, Watching Pete count gum drops... (he always gave you more,)".
• "When I have marched on with the years into eternity If I, like "Pete," with kindly mien can stir a memory As mine is stirred this moment, then in celestial space, My spirit will roam the ether with a smile upon its face".