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© Holmes Coffey Murray Funeral Home
Submitted by: TD
Mae Lena Colbert-Ferguson, 94, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2016 at the King’s Sons and Daughters Nursing Home in Durant, OK. Mae Lena was born on August 13, 1921 in Durant, OK to Lewis Calvin “Dick” Colbert and Ethel May Guthrie-Colbert. She was the 6th of 7 children. Preceding her in death are her husband, Herschel Y. Ferguson, her parents and all of her siblings: Lewis, John David, Paul E., Mary Forernis, Margaret Ruth “Peggy”Teague, and Vera Jeanette Smith. Surviving is her only child and daughter, Paula Cox, of Durant, OK and numerous nieces, nephews and family.
While living in Bryan County, Mae met her late husband and they were married on April 20, 1941 by her visiting uncle, a preacher, one Sunday afternoon in Caddo, OK after asking someone to open up and give them a marriage license. Almost immediately, Herschel was called to serve in WWII from 1943-1946. It was during 1944 that Paula Jeanette was born. While Herschel was on the beaches of Waikiki, HI, he wrote hundreds and hundreds of letters back home to the loves of his life, Mae and Paula. Mae wrote hundreds of letters back to him. Mae saved, stored, and cherished every note and letter written by her husband and herself. They were married for 61 years when he passed away from Alzheimer’s. She was a loving, devoted wife, mother and friend to all.
The family lived in Lawton for a number of years working at Fort Sill until their retirement. After retiring the family moved to Durant where Mae worked at Peabody Galion and the Chamber of Commerce. She was a successful Mary Kay consultant and sold the products from her home. Highly motivated and dedicated to being a career woman, she loved investing and playing the stock market. For years, she was an active member of the local National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE). She also modelled clothes and jewelry for the finest place for fashion and accessories (according to Mae) Marie’s in Durant. She loved music, especially gospel, her bible, and was blessed to be a Christian. As a member of the Choctaw Nation, she was proud to show you her CDIB card.
Alzheimer’s disease robbed her mind, but her heart stayed the same, courageous and kind. We are comforted in knowing Mae Lena knows who Mae Lena is once again.
A celebration of her life will be on Saturday morning, June 4, 2016 at 10:00 AM at the Holmes-Coffey-Murray funeral home chapel. Rev. Bill Lewis will officiate the services and Karen Reynolds-Lewis will provide the music Mae loved so much. Internment will be at the Highland Cemetery next to her beloved Herschel. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local Alzheimer’s Association.
Family and friends may send online condolences and view tributes at www.holmescoffeymurray.com.
Services are under the direction of Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home, Durant, Oklahoma.
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