Mavis Jane Laybourn Wiseman, 95, died peacefully in her room at Inverness Village in Tulsa, Oklahoma on November 11, 2013.

She was born in Sioux City, Iowa on May 3, 1918. She graduated from Asbury College and received masters degrees from George Peabody College for Teachers. For 68 years Mavis was married to William J. Wiseman, Sr.

Through her life Mavis kept an unflickering faith in God, an insistence on propriety, and undertook tasks, uncomplaining, like an ox in yoke. As a minister's wife, Mavis and her preacher-husband, Bill, served and were served by churches in Pennsylvania and New York. In 1963 Bill was called to the pulpit of First Presbyterian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was within this community of believers they remained the longest and who, for them, became the most beloved. Mavis and Bill were members of First Presbyterian until their deaths.

Most of her years teaching were with primary-age children, instructing them in reading and math. In Tulsa, if a student of hers came to school cold and underclothed, she gave that child a used coat or jacket she had laid aside in readiness. Newly sewn on buttons replaced those she had found missing.

In her last months, her frame frail and her voice weak, the words she spoke to everyone were of full-throated sweetness and compassion.

Mavis was predeceased by her husband, Bill, and their son William J. Wiseman, Jr. She is survived by a sister, Helyn Johnson (her lifelong best friend); daughters J. Wiseman and Mary Hamilton and husband Rick; grandsons Jamie Wiseman and wife Dana, Geordie Hamilton and wife Karen Logue and their daughter Anna, John Wiseman and wife Kiran Malhotra, and Robbie Hamilton; four nieces and two nephews; and Jane P. Wiseman, mother of Jamie and John.

There will be a graveside committal service on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at 10 a.m. at Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends are welcome to join the family who will gather.