Mary Jane Pottorf

Viewing will be 5-7 PM, Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at Moore's Southlawn, 9350 E. 51st, Tulsa, OK. Funeral service will be 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at Moore's Southlawn Chapel. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233 Welcome to the Storybook of Mary's Life Mary, only daughter of Elmer and Bertha Minor, and sister of Charles and Howard (wife Jane), married Joseph Pottorf on July 31, 1949. They had three children, Judy, Laurie and Jay. Jay and his wife Lisa gave them two grandchildren, Christopher (wife Zora) and Kaitlyn. Mary and Joe met and fell in love at the University of Missouri in September of 1947. Their first date was a blind date and when Joe saw Mary coming down the stairs in the dorm, he was instantly infatuated with her. They went to a movie and by the end of the movie, Joe told Mary he was going to marry her. Mary earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. Upon graduation, Mary and Joe moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1951 where she taught elementary education at Holland Hall and Eugene Fields. Mary was passionate about children's education and also enjoyed teaching Sunday school at Trinity United Methodist and Asbury Methodist Church for many years. Mary's strong faith in God guided her every day. This may have come from the legacy left by her grandfather and father who were strong in the Methodist faith and ministry. Her German grandfather was a circuit rider, traveling on horseback, church to church, to minister to the German people. His son, Mary's father, was the education minister and the song leader at his church. Mary continued this legacy thru her loving spirit and dedication to faith. She shared God's love and words of encouragement through her joyfulness and sincere concern for her family and friends. She left a wonderful and lasting impression on everyone she met. Mary cherished her time spent with family and friends and used her love of crafts to create small storybooks to record the special times. Filled with pictures and captions, these storybooks brought her and others great joy. She had a passion for her family history and collected precious pictures and documents so future generations could know the lives and legacy of those that came before them. Mary especially loved welcoming children into her home where she would bring out crafts, baby dolls and games. She would entertain them for hours creating lasting memories for her and them. Mary had many hobbies that brought her great joy. She loved gardening and just looking out at the beautiful flowers and birds in her yard. Being out in nature brought her great peace and a closeness to God when she was surrounded by his beautiful creation. She and Joe loved spending time at their lake house with the special friends that they met there. Mary organized time spent at the lake, boating, fishing, cookouts and playing games. Mary was also able to get out in nature thru the many camping trips the family took in their trailer. Mary loved playing games with anyone that would sit down to play. Sequence was her favorite game. She even created her own Sequence game boards that she gave to family and friends. God's light always shown on Mary's face and all that knew her were blessed by her. She was always happy and what made her the happiest was serving others. She loved taking care of others, by cooking them food, by sharing God's word, and always providing a loving and welcoming home.

Mary Jane Pottorf

February 6, 1930 - January 25, 2018