Lifelong Tulsan Mary Louise Kingsolver Millard passed away on September 22, 2016 at the age of 86. Born to Dora and Carl Kingsolver in Tulsa, Mary graduated from Will Rogers High School and then obtained a Bachelors of Arts in Education at the University of Tulsa prior to starting a 40-year marriage with Warren Millard. Mary then devoted the next 30 years of her life as an Art Teacher for Tulsa Public Schools, with a great deal of that time at Lewis & Clark and Reed Elementary Schools. A favorite joke of hers about that experience would consist of someone asking her how many kids she taught each year, to which she would respond, "All of them." After teaching, Mary continued her involvement with Tulsa Public Schools through mentoring grade school and junior high students. Mary often encountered former students who remembered her enthusiasm and creativeness in teaching art.

Mary lived the majority of her life in the Renaissance Neighborhood near Tulsa University, and was well known for being a good and friendly neighbor. A picture of her Swiss Chalet-style home is prominent today on the neighborhood association website, complete with "Willard B. Millard" -- a seasonally dressed large wooden bear carved from a lightning-struck tree in her yard. A carved American Eagle from the same tree graced her backyard.

Mary maintained a number of interests after teaching that included the Red Hat Society, Will Rogers High School and Tulsa University alumna associations, and the YWCA. She belonged to the University Methodist Church. Mary is predeceased by her daughter Kathleen Gehringer, husband Warren Millard, sister Murn Faucett, and brothers Kehl and Jarrett Kingsolver. Mary is survived by her son-in-law, Nicholas Gehringer, and a number of nieces and nephews. Mary had many friends throughout the Tulsa area who supported Mary throughout her prolonged struggle with Alzheimer's disease. The family gratefully acknowledges her friends for that support, as well as the staff at Tulsa Assisted Living Center for their diligent care and service for the past six years. The family suggests that donations to the Cure Alzheimer's Fund be made in lieu of flowers, although Mary was very partial to roses. A memorial service is scheduled for 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, September 28, 2016, at the Moore Funeral Home Memory Chapel located at 1403 S. Peoria Avenue in Tulsa. www.moorefuneral.com