Mary E. Yokley

Mary E. Yokley was born on May 28, 1933, Parsons, KS, to Joseph R. Dean, Sr. and Violet M. (Cuddy) Dean during a record-setting latest snow ever in KS! Times were hard growing up in The Great Depression for Mary as the daughter/granddaughter of grocers so she learned to value her blessings, especially her Lord, faith, country, family and friends. She worked in the store as much as possible starting as a young child & then after school with odd jobs without expecting anything in return except wanting to help her family. Mary was involved in many activities including church activities, singing in choir, school plays, dancing in a troupe, basketball, Girl Scouts and even running alongside the boys track team because she was so fast, but girls were not allowed to join in back then. Mary had her first paying job at 14 years old as a "soda jerk" and loved it. Mary attended Parsons schools until moving to Bartlesville, OK, her sophomore year due to her father's job change to manage a different grocery store. She graduated top 3 in her class of 1951 and soon after married Tom Yokley. She worked at Union National Bank until becoming a homemaker for her children in 1952 when Mark was born, followed by Cindy 1955 and Cat 1959. Mary always said that her greatest achievement was getting to be a mother and all of her children agree that she was the most wonderful mother they could have ever had. Mary was always patriotic so she helped in her precinct and worked for them for many years at election time. She also wrote many letters over the years to politicians because she wanted the best for her city, state and country. Mary had so many talents. One was sending cards and notes to anyone and everyone who needed one. She had a long distance pen pal (a cousin) for over 40 years. Other talents/hobbies were gardening, baking, cooking, sewing, bird-watching and loving her dogs. Her giant from scratch cookies were widely known and loved, whether they were oatmeal raisin, sugar, chocolate, lemon, peanut butter, banana nut, snicker doodles and the list went on... Her Texas chocolate cake and her Lyndon B Johnson chili recipes were just a few of her legendary dishes. Mary was a member of the 6th and Dewey Church of Christ until 1976 when she and Tom moved to rural Copan, OK where she enjoyed some serious gardening. She then attended the Dewey Church of Christ for many years until moving to Tulsa to live with her youngest daughter and husband in 2015 where she joined The Park Church of Christ until her health declined. Mary was preceded in death by her grandparents; parents; her brother, Joseph R Dean, Jr.; her husband of nearly 65 years, Tom A. Yokley, Jr.(May 2016); step grandson, James Davis (2018); her great-grandson, Judah M. Seitz (2021); her cousin, Judith A. (Cuddy) Cook of VA (2014); and many other friends and relatives. Mary is survived by her 3 children: Mark T. Yokley (Kay) of Tucson, AZ Cynthia S. Wright (Gary) of Stillwater, OK Catherine R. Ingram (Mark) of Broken Arrow, OK 5 grandchildren: Brandon and Jason Wright of Stillwater, OK Kyle Ingram (Shauna) of Broken Arrow, OK Kate (Ingram) Seitz (Tim) of Columbus, OH Tracy Stillwaugh (Robin) of Tucson, AZ 10 great grandchildren: Levi, Praise and Charlotte Ingram and Brooke and Brock Pate all of Broken Arrow, OK Clara Seitz of Columbus, OH Rollie and Reilly Davis of Montana Madison and Emily Stillwaugh of Tuscan, AZ Also, life-long friend, Dee Anne (Frisinger) Lippert of Tulsa, OK Mary will be forever missed by all who loved her. She wants all to know her Lord Jesus Christ personally and said she'll be waiting for us in Heaven. A private family celebration of her wonderful spirit will be held in late Spring at the Bartlesville Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Mary's favorite charity, Hope Harbor, Inc. of Claremore, OK, or to any charity of your choice. Private family services will be held at a later date. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233 share memories at www.moorefuneral.com

Mary E. Yokley

May 28, 1933 - December 20, 2023