LORETTA AVIS MCKELVAIN PRESLAR, 91, died May 22,
2010 in El Paso, TX. Avis was born in Moran, TX.
She was the oldest of three children born to Linnie
May & Robert Hardie McKelvain. She attended Ranger
High School in the Class of 1935 at Ranger, TX but
graduated from high school in Breckenridge, TX
where she excelled in debate. She went to State
finals all four years. After one year at Hardin-
Simmons in Abilene, TX, she entered Baylor Uni-
versity on a speech scholarship. There, she
specialized in debate. She and her partner won
many National championships. After finishing
at Baylor, she taught English and Speech and
coached the high school debate teams in Bowie,
Ranger, & Abilene. In Abilene, her team won the
State championship.
During World War II, she served in the Waves as
a Communications Officer and a Recruiter. After
discharge from the Navy, Avis married Stephen
Preslar (RHS-1936) & they were sweethearts for
63 years until his passing in March, 2009. Avis
attended law school but abandoned this endeavor
after learning that she was pregnant with her
first child.
Avis Preslar loved to entertain and liked nothing
better than preparing dinner parties for friends,
family, and loved ones whenever the opportunity
arose. In later years she enjoyed playing Bridge
with her friends. Avis will be remembered for her
kindness and generosity for family and friends
which always took precedence in her life. Avis
was a source of inspiration for many, and her
spirit will remain strong in the hearts of all
who were fortunate enough to have known her.
Avis is preceded in death by her sons, Stephen
Clifford and Samuel Hardie Preslar. Mrs. Preslar
is survived by son, Robert Lee Preslar, his wife
Susan Maresca Preslar, and their two daughters
Sarah and Kelsey Preslar. Her oldest son, Cliff
has two daughters, Kim and Alison Preslar. Kim
has two sons, Dean and Vaughn, and Alison is
expecting twins in late June of this year. Her
brothers were J.H. McKelvain (RHS-1940) & John
L. McKelvain (RHS-1943).