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With the same grace and resilience that marked her life over the past 94 years, Mary Ann Stewart left this life in the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at home with her daughter Elizabeth and son-in-law Harry (Rip) Ratliff by her side.
Mary Ann was born in Okemah, Oklahoma on April 3, 1932, to Troy Rayburn and Vona Belle (Burford) Heiskell. She was the first born of three and spent her early years in Canton, South Dakota where her parents owned and operated the Heiskell Trading Post. She studied to become an educator and earned her bachelor's degree from the Oklahoma College for Women in Chickasha (OWC). Her master's degree was awarded by Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant. She taught in South Dakota and Denver, Colorado before arriving in Bryan County. The majority of her career was spent with the Durant Independent School District, where she served students as a middle school teacher of language arts and librarian for close to 30 years.
She is survived by daughter Elizabeth and son-in-law Rip Ratliff of the home and sister Vivian Holt of Norman, Oklahoma. She is also survived by grandson Cooper Ratliff and wife Kennedi of Durant, along with great-grandchildren Bexleigh and Cutter Ratliff. Also surviving is granddaughter Keegan Beaty and husband Brandon, along with great grandchildren Dylan and Dawson Beaty of Boyd, Texas. Additional family left to mourn her loss include daughter Laura Ann and husband Larry Patrick, granddaughter Julie Carlson, great granddaughter Kate Carlson, great grandson Ben Carlson, all of Norman, Oklahoma, and grandson Brandon Patrick and wife Amy of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She is also survived by extended family, including many cousins and life-long friends in Durant and beyond. Mary Ann was predeceased by younger brother Reavis Heiskell who is buried beside parents Troy and Vona in Forest Hill Cemetery, Canton, South Dakota.
Mary Ann was a devoted member of Durant's First Baptist Church, PEO DJ Chapter, Delta Kappa Gamma and the American Association of University Women (AAUW). She was a true believer in the power of education and worked throughout her life to encourage and empower that belief in others – especially those at the middle-school level.
Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 18, 2026 at Durant's First Baptist Church with Pastor Garry McNeill officiating. Serving as pallbearers are Clair Gard, Brian Holt, James Maney, Herminio Perez, Bill Peterson, and Cooper Ratliff.
Following the service, Mary Ann will be laid to rest in Highland Cemetery in Durant. The family will receive friends for visitation on Thursday evening, September 17, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. in the Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home Chapel at 121 North 5th in Durant, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, Mary Ann has requested contributions to Gideons Bible International. You can also honor her memory by being kind to your friends and neighbors, reaching out to others whenever possible, and being the best human possible.