Mary Frances Riddle, 85, was born on February 5, 1931, in Achille, OK to Luther B. and Jimana (Howard) Owen. She passed from this world on February 5, 2016, just four days after her beloved husband, Marvin.

Mary grew up in southeastern Oklahoma in an era when modern conveniences were not available. She worked hard on the farm and learned to make the most of her resources, an attribute that characterized her throughout her life.

After graduating from Calera High School with the Class of 1949, she married her high school sweetheart, Marvin Riddle, on July 29, 1950. When Marvin returned from the Korean Conflict, they made their home first in Ardmore and then moved to Tulsa where she was a full-time homemaker. Together, they raised two children and enjoyed living Marvin's dream of a country homestead just outside the city limits.

As the years went by, Mary was known for her baking and canning abilities, having spent countless hours planting, cultivating, harvesting and preparing her homegrown fruits and vegetables. Her efforts were slow and methodical, rising early and retiring late on those long summer days. She was often heard to quote scriptures and well-worn axioms. Her favorite was, "If it's worth doing at all, it's worth doing right."

Mary taught young children in Sunday school for many years and always had a special place in her heart for the babies in the nursery. She was always busy with the church dinners, serving on the "kitchen committee" for more years than anybody can remember. She and Marvin volunteered at their local food bank as long as they were able, since feeding hungry children was a cause they wholeheartedly supported. In more recent years, as her health began to fail, she enjoyed working jigsaw puzzles and looking at picture albums, recalling the special memories of long ago.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin, as well as her parents and three older half-brothers (Adrian, Clarence, and Howard Richardson). She is survived by one son, Larry Riddle and his wife, Kathy, of Tulsa; one daughter, Carol Friesen, and her husband, Duane, of Tulsa; one granddaughter, Christy (Friesen) Hinnant and her husband, Cody of San Antonio, TX; one great-granddaughter, Rebecca Hinnant, and one great-grandson, Grayson Hinnant, both also of San Antonio.

A special thanks to the outstanding and caring staff of Legend at Mingo Road Assisted Living's Memory Care wing and to the wonderful and loving members of the A-Vow Hospice Team who attended her.

Burial was at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens in the Veterans Field of Honor. Donations requested for Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma (1304 N. Kenosha Ave., Tulsa, OK 74106 or online at: okfoodbank.org) designated to Food For Kids program. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233 share memories at www.moorefuneral.com