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Mary Frances Maness was born September 26, 1935, in St. Louis, Missouri to Chester Lloyd and Ruth Alma Ide Maness. She went to her heavenly home on October 25, 2025.
Mary is survived by her brother, Don Maness (Connie) of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and sister Ruth Ann Colaw (Max) of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, four nephews, three nieces, twenty-one great nieces and nephews, three great-great nephews, and one great-great niece. In addition, she is survived by a very special aunt, Imogene Maness, who is 102 years old.
Mary attended Irving Elementary School and Central High School in St. Louis, Missouri. For her senior year of high school, she attended Frankfurt Pilgrim Academy in Frankfurt, Indiana. She graduated high school at the age of 16. Following high school, she attended Harris Teacher's College. After her freshman year, she accepted a job at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company where she worked for ten years. She then moved to Owosso, Michigan, where she served as secretary to the Vice-President for Academic Affairs and later became the college Registrar. During her time in Michigan, she received a Bachelors in Elementary Education as well as a Master's degree in elementary education from Michigan State University.
In 1975 she moved to Bartlesville to work at Bartlesville Wesleyan College - now Oklahoma Wesleyan University. She taught English courses the first two years then began teaching courses in Teacher Education. She had a love for teaching and impacted the lives of hundreds of students. In addition, she supervised hundreds of student teachers.
Mary has a good resume. However, more importantly is her legacy, Mary loved the Lord and was a faithful Christ Follower. She was a member of First Wesleyan Church for fifty years. She served the church in numerous capacities such as secretary of the Local Board of Administration, teaching in children's church, singing in the choir, and many other volunteer positions. She had a love for missions and was involved with World Hope and taught teachers in Jamaica and Haiti how to improve their skills in teaching reading. She made six trips to Haiti. She also took short-term mission trips to Bosnia and Jamaica.
A nephew noted, Aunt Mary leaves a legacy of what it means to be present, truly present, through the generations and care with a steadfast love. We are thankful for the gift she has been in our lives. She phoned to serenade each on their "happy birthdays" and "anniversaries." She sent handwritten notes on those days, not just birthdays and anniversaries, but most of the holidays she sent cards, with her iconic tag sign, xxx000.
We are so thankful for the gift she has been in our lives. We praise our Risen Savior that breathes life into eternal souls and provides resurrection bodies for His children. To God Be The Glory.
A celebration of Life Service will be held at First Wesleyan Church in Bartlesville on Saturday, November 29th at 10:00 a.m. Family members will be available from 9:00-9:45 to meet and greet guests.
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