McCLENDON-WINTERS

FUNERAL HOME

"Dignity without Compromise"

MARY LEWIS
Mary Louise Lewis, eldest daughter of the late Alton and Hilda George, was born on March 14, 1931, on a farm near Wakita, Oklahoma. She died on Monday, March 6, 2006, at her home in Okmulgee after an extended illness at the age of 74 years, 11 months, and 20 days.
Mary wed her childhood sweetheart, Gene Lewis, in 1952. To this marriage, four children were born.
Mary is survived by her husband of 53 years; three children, Mara Lewis Dickinson and her husband, Buck Dickinson, Bret Lewis, Jill Lewis Elmore and her husband, Jason Elmore; two grandchildren, Blake Lewis and Max Elmore, three brothers and their wives, Dean and Norma Deane George of Hutchinson, Kansas, Evart and Wilma George of Anthony, Kansas, Leon and Marlyce George of Tucson, Arizona; one sister, Carol George of Denver, Colorado; one sister-in-law, Carol Lewis Cushenbery and her husband, Charlie Cushenbery, of Summerfield, Florida; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.
Mary was preceded in death by one son, Greg Lewis; one brother, Verle George; and one Sister, Marie George Murphy.
Mary graduated from Manchester Public Schools in 1949. She attended Northwestern State Teachers College in Alva, Oklahoma, and received a teaching certificate in home economics and elementary education.
She did substitute teaching while her children were little. She began teaching at Banneker Kindergarten in Okmulgee in 1970. She enjoyed teaching and loved her job. She looked forward to work every day. She taught 23 years until she retired in 1993. She was Banneker Kindergarten teacher of the year twice and was nominated to "Who's Who Among America's Teachers."
Mary was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Okmulgee. She loved her Family and friends and her little pupils. She enjoyed gardening, painting, square dancing, travel, and bridge. The poems and verses she collected throughout the years reflect her feelings. The following are two of her favorites:

I love you and thank you for all the things that are a part of me.
I love you and thank you for my family, my home, and all that I own.
I love you and thank you for all my friends and the moments when I had to be left alone.
I love you and thank you for the imprints left in the dust from smiles, tears, sorrow, and suffering that is acquired as we live from day to day.
I love you and thank you for your helpfulness in the teaching of children.
I love you and pray that you will forgive me for any shortcomings and that I have earned a place in your eternity.
And...
The way of the cross may be steep, but it leads upward to God.
lt may be hard, but it leads onward to safety.
lt may be narrow, but it leads forward to fullness of life.
It may be long, but it leads to eternity
lt may be weary, but it leads us straight into the arms of
Christ.
The family will receive friends at the Chapel Room, McClendon-Winters Funeral Home, 303 East Seventh Street, Okmulgee, Oklahoma, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Wednesday, March 8, 2006.
Funeral services will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 302 South Seminole, Okmulgee, Oklahoma, at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, March 9, 2006, under the direction of McCIendon-Winters Funeral Home. Reverend Craig Denslow will officiate. Music will be furnished by Dean and Norma Deane George. Honorary pallbearers will be Mary's nephews, Craig Cushenbery, Chris Cushenbery, Alan George, Terry George, Rodney George, Rick Reitz, Mike George, Kerry George, and Brian Murphy.
Buria1 services will be held at Manchester Cemetery in Manchester, Oklahoma, at 1:00 o'clock, p.m., on Friday, March 10, 2006.
Memorial contributions may be designated to the Harmon Project Fund, c/o Danny Morgan, Athletic Director, Okmulgee Public Schools, 415 West Third Street, Okmulgee, Oklahoma.