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Mary Lou (Braudrick) Sherrod, beloved educator and cherished community member, passed from this earthly life on November 18, 2025 at the age of 87 in Durant, Oklahoma. Born February 3, 1938, in Caddo, Oklahoma to Richard and Mabel Braudrick, she was a source of light and love to all who knew her.
In 1959, Mary Lou was joined in marriage to Wesley Sherrod. They made their home in Pirtle, Oklahoma and were blessed with two sons, raising them in faith and love. They enjoyed spending time together at Lake Texoma and attending the Choctaw Labor Day Festival, as well as owning and operating Sherrod Locksmith for 20 years.
Her early years in Caddo laid the foundation for a life of deep commitment to learning and spiritual growth. Mary Lou's pursuit of knowledge led her to earn a Master's Degree in Education and Art. For 25 years, Mary Lou molded the next generation from her classroom at Blue Public Schools, where she taught K-12 with wisdom and care. Her influence extended beyond the school as she represented Bryan County as a delegate to the Oklahoma Education Association, advocating for the advancement of education within the area.
Baptized in the Blue River at age 12, Mary Lou's faith in Jesus Christ was the cornerstone of her life, and her spiritual focus was deeply rooted in the Calvary Baptist Church of Durant since the 1970s. She taught adult Sunday School classes for over four decades, as well as serving with the House & Grounds crew, making cards for the Outreach of Faith class, and working in the Calvary Cares food pantry. Her commitment to service was unwavering and inspiring.
Outside of the church walls, she dedicated 10 years to the Alliance Hospital Auxiliary, supporting healthcare providers and comforting patients through her volunteer efforts.
An avid historian and genealogist, Mary Lou's keen interest in her family's lineage led her to author three books on the Braudrick, Sherrod, Patterson, and Robinson families. Her meticulous research also assisted her in the writing of historical accounts of the towns of Blue and Pirtle, Oklahoma. Notably, her biography of her great-grandmother, "Eliza," is a treasured contribution to her family's story. Talented with her hands, she also enjoyed quilting, embroidery, painting, and crafting.
Mary Lou's life was a portrait of simplicity and depth. She found little interest in material possessions, instead delighting in her family, whom she adored and considered her greatest accomplishment. Her role as a matriarch was embraced with pride and love, as she viewed her family as the truest treasure on earth.
That treasure includes her surviving family members: son Larry Sherrod and wife Sharon of Forney, Texas; son Wesley Jr. of Durant, Oklahoma; stepdaughter Joy Robbins and husband Gayle of Colbert, Oklahoma; grandchildren Steven, Scott, Alicia, Melanie, Clint, Belinda, and Roxann; great-granddaughter Zoe; and sister Imogene Williamson of Cartwright, Oklahoma.
Mary Lou was preceded in death by her husband Wesley Sr.; parents Richard Paul and Mabel Ann (Nelson) Braudrick; daughter-in-law Jean Sherrod; brothers Richard Jr., Don, and Luke Braudrick; sisters Madeline Potts, Pauline Claborn, and Dorothy Johnson; and brother-in-law W.B. Williamson.
As we commemorate the life of Mary Lou Sherrod, we celebrate a woman who lived with purpose and grace. Her legacy thrives in the hearts of those she touched, the knowledge she imparted, and the faith she so diligently displayed.
Mary's funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Calvary Baptist Church in Durant, Oklahoma with Bro. Brett Cook and Brother Darel Bunch officiating. Burial will immediately follow in the Gethsemane Cemetery in Caddo, Oklahoma.
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