Obituary for Katlyn “Katie” Campbell

Katlyn “Katie” Ann Campbell

June 26, 2001 – March 23, 2021

On a warm afternoon in June, 2001, Miss Katlyn Ann Campbell drifted into the lives of her parents John A. and Molly J. (Oder) Campbell. From the first breath she drew, Katie showed the world what she was made of. It would take five years before she and her doctors would finally fully discover how rare and amazing she truly was. She continued to defy odds until she drew her last breath, the evening of March 23, 2021 in the Willow Haven Nursing Home in Tonkawa, having fought the good fight, having finished the race, having kept the faith, and having outlived all expectations by more than 10 years. She was surrounded by her parents, her brother, and his girlfriend Jade, her Grandmother Judy, and friends Cassie and Dana.

She was 19. But she was not a typical teenager. She was a warrior who wore an infectious smile, had a wicked sense of humor, and was an example of positivity every day of her life – even on the hard days.

When Katie and Johnny were small, Johnny would push her around the house in an empty diaper box, both of them shrieking with joy. When he was five, and he would be “dinking around” in the garage with his grandfather, Johnny would run home to make sure Molly had given Katie her medicine. Katie was especially close to Johnny, giggling and laughing at him until she snorted, especially about bodily functions. In fact, she couldn’t go too long without seeing him, or the excitement would be too much for her. He often teased her and during her last hospital stay, she tried to suction him. To say that Johnny will miss his partner in crime would be an understatement. He spent the last two weeks soaking up every bit of time he could get with his baby sister, before that sweet time ran out.

She grew up in Blackwell before moving to Tonkawa to make her home with her mother. She graduated from Tonkawa High School in 2020. Always with that toothy grin, and friendly and heart warming soul that would brighten anyone’s day, whether it be at the First Baptist Church in Blackwell
where she was a member, on Facebook, or in the many medical facilities in which she spent time. Nurses, doctors, and everyday people were stunned at her resilience and often checked in for their daily dose of hope and cheer.

She loved all things that were magical, like her. This was especially of butterflies, symbolic given that she is now in heaven and out of her cocoon. Out of all the hundreds of dollars worth of toys she had, dollar store slinkies were her favorite. They were also like her, the slinkies, shiny and mysterious. And of course, what magical girl wouldn’t love unicorns – the creatures who are also too precious and rare for this world?

She enjoyed listening to music, especially Sugarland, and especially the song Baby Girl. She loved to watch television, especially Rachel Ray. So much so, in fact, that she raised her hand once, to move a doctor out of her line of vision when she heard Rachel’s voice. She also loved Dora the Explorer. One of her most gleeful memories was that of dancing in her wheelchair with her granddad, David Oder, who went on before to prepare a place for her, along with her paternal grandparents John and Dorothy Campbell.

She was power hitter for the Royals, in Kara’s Game League in Blackwell, wheeling around the bases to have her run added to the scoreboard. She loved to give raspberries.

She is survived by her mother, advocate and champion Molly Oder of Tonkawa; her father, John Campbell Jr. of Pond Creek; maternal grandmother, Judy Oder of Blackwell; a best brother ever, Johnny Campbell of Ponca City; a step-brother, Trey Cole of Ponca City; four step-sisters, Alexis Campbell of Pond Creek, Savannah Ryan of Blackwell, and Abby Cole and Mikayla Scott of Crescent; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Well, remember me in ribbons and curls. I still love you more than anything in the world. Love, Your baby girl.

A graveside service is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Monday, March 29th in the Blackwell Cemetery with James W. Roberts officiating.