Mary Ellis Obituary (1936

Mary Ann Ellis, 75, of Sapulpa went to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 11, 2012 in Tulsa. She was a longtime church worker and volunteer with civic and school organizations. Mary Ann was born on December 7, 1936 in Webb City, Missouri to Frank and Grace (Clayton) Wilson. The family moved to Parsons, Kansas where Mary Ann graduated from high school and also received her associates? degree from the local junior college. She married Raymond Ellis on November 19, 1955 in Parsons, Kansas. The couple moved to Sapulpa where Mary Ann worked as a teacher for Little Friends Preschool at First Baptist Church in Sapulpa for several years. She later served as the administrative assistant for several pastors at First Baptist Church of Sapulpa before becoming the records secretary at First Baptist Church of Tulsa. Mary Ann was also employed at Oil and Gas Consultants International in Tulsa and at one time was part owner of a music store called The Note Nook in Sapulpa. Mary Ann and Raymond are members at First Baptist Church of Tulsa were they have sung in the choir for many years. She was a Sunday school teacher for 60 years, and was always involved with missions organizations of her church such as Woman?s Missionary Union. Mary Ann was a volunteer with the Sapulpa Historical Society, Jenks Elementary schools, and numerous projects for the Jenks High School vocal music department. She was a member of the Singing ChurchWomen of Oklahoma and went on mission trips to Utah, Brazil and Poland with that organization. Mary Ann also served as the Queen of the Sassy Sapulpa Movers and Shakers chapter of the Red Hat Society. She was a Mary Kay representative for many years but after her retirement from OGCI in 1993 she was able to focus on her favorite profession, spoiling her grandchildren. She is survived by her husband Raymond Ellis of the home, two daughters Cindy Byford and husband Mark of Broken Arrow and Suzanne Downey and husband Larry of Tulsa, four grandchildren Luke Byford and wife Emily of Fort Worth, Texas, Matthew Byford of Houston, Texas, Calvin Downey of Tulsa and Clay Downey of Tulsa. Also surviving Mary Ann is a great-granddaughter Lydia Byford of Fort Worth, Texas. Mary Ann is preceded in death by her parents Frank and Grace Wilson.