Funeral services for Mary Helen Roberts, 81, of Ada will be held on 11:00 a.m. Friday at the First Free Will Baptist Church, Ada. Rev. Dean Stone will officiate. Burial will follow at Rosedale Cemetery.
Mrs. Roberts passed away Sunday, July 21, 2019 in Oklahoma City.
Mary Helen (Ray) Roberts was born in Oklahoma City on January 24, 1938. She was the youngest daughter born to State Senator William Oliver Ray and Helen Mundy Ray. At the time of her birth, her parents and older sister, Bobbie, resided in Idabel, OK where her father was in the process of forming the First State Bank, Idabel. When Mary Helen was 8 years old, her father passed away and the family soon relocated to Ada, OK where she then resided for most of her life, always considering Ada to be her home. Her mother eventually remarried and with that, two families were united, to include a younger sister, Suzanne. In addition, the family was expanded to include Kathryn Preston, who came to live with the family as a young child and was always considered to be a sister too.
Mary Helen was blessed in many ways throughout her life. She had a very special bond with her mother, who was known by all as “Nana”. Nana’s impact on Mary Helen had a profound influence on her personality and capacity to foster loving relationships with family and lifelong friends. Mary Helen was always very outgoing and quick to let you know how much she loved you once you became a part of her life. Everyone was particularly attracted to her unique mix of sincerity and wit that only she could deliver.
Mary Helen is preceded in death by her husband of 15 years, Bob Roberts. She is survived by her two children, Vicki Fryar of Norman and Brad Ferguson and wife, Celine of Edmond. Her Grandchildren, Levi Huddleston and fiancé, Ellie Bish, of Norman, Chelsea Barth and husband Michael, of Broken Arrow, Tyler Ferguson and wife, Whitney, of Oklahoma City, Lauren Henry and husband, Russell, of Edmond and Great Grandchild, Sage Ferguson. Also surviving is sister, Suzanne Stopak, and husband Stu of Flower Mound, TX, and nieces and nephews, Jay Pitts, Cedar Park, TX, Patti Beavers, Bartlesville, David Updegraff, Spartanburg, SC, Branon Updegraff, Flower Mound, TX and Courtne Lee Kent Fort Worth, TX.
Mary Helen’s family also wants to thank the staff and all her dear friends at Baptist Village, beginning in Ada and then Oklahoma City for the outpouring of love and kindness shown to her over the many years she was a resident there. In addition, a special thank you to Integris Hospice and the nursing staff of Baptist Village for the special care our Mother received during her final days.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
