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A celebration of life will take place 4 p.m. Sat. Jan. 22, 2022, at Central Assembly of God in Enid, OK. There will be gospel singing followed by a BBQ.
Mary Ann was born into humble beginnings on May 10, 1943, to Ruby Wincy (Huffman) Holt and Samuel Monroe Holt at their home in Coalgate, OK. She passed away Jan. 5, 2022, in Nash, OK.
Mary Ann grew up with parents that were strict and religious during the WWII era. She was the seventh of eight children. Her stories from childhood include growing a garden, only being able to wear dresses and long hair, and staying the night with a friend so she could go see the movie, "Jailhouse Rock" with Elvis. She learned to play the piano at a young age and enjoyed music all her life. Boy, could she bang out the tunes.
Mary Ann started her career at Pacific Bell in Visalia, CA, in 1966. As a female she climbed the corporate ladder successfully. During her telephone company days, she went from operator to management with a crew of men to Public Relations Director. This gave her multiple opportunities to serve on numerous boards and committees, Special Olympics coordinator and Chamber of Commerce President (Clinton & Weatherford) were just a few of her many accomplishments. She not only managed to build a successful career during a time when women weren't given the same opportunities as men, but it was raising her two strong, independent daughters that she was most proud of. And with new adventures in mind, she took an early retirement option in 1991.
She wasted little time finding her next adventure. With her husband by her side, they decided to buy a flower shop, Floral Treasures in Weatherford, OK. They spent the next five years working together expanding the flower shop along the way. They managed to stay IN LOVE while working day in and day out in a retail business, it wasn't always easy. She helped with many downtown and community events, served on more boards, and had ideas a mile long to benefit the growing community. By 1995, Mary Ann and Clovis were empty nesters and with itchy feet for a new adventure, they closed the flower shop.
She decided to join her youngest daughter in the salon environment and went to hair school. She worked at The Cottage in Weatherford, OK, with Trinity letting her creative juices flow while she always making time to listen to others with much compassion. The flexibility was great and allowed for her and Clovis to enjoy "their" time together.
Then Mary Ann fell in love with the old bank building in Custer City, OK. So, they found a great fixer-upper and moved. Then she began her many projects at the old bank building she named Mollie Mayer's after her grandmother. She and Clovis ended up living in the amazing old building. If only those walls could talk! They thoroughly enjoyed this season of their lives with long talks over coffee, made only in a French press of course.
Their love story is a book itself. With Mary Ann being 10 years older than Clovis, they lived outside the box but always IN LOVE with each other no matter how strong their differences. After his death in May 2012, Mary Ann moved closer to her first daughter, Cyndy, and her family in Nash, OK. Mary Ann served on city council in Nash, joined the Lion's Club, opened a library coffee house, and Ruby's gift shop (named after her mother).
Cyndy did these projects with her and was great at keeping her organized and on task. Mary Ann was always up for adventure and took great pride in creating a special event out of any occasion. She was spontaneous and strong willed till the end!
Mary Ann was preceded in death by the love of her life, Clovis Lee Oyler; her parents: sisters, Vivian Nuner, Louise Blackwell, Betty Holt and 2 baby siblings.
Mary Ann is survived by her 2 daughters, Cyndy and husband, Elvin Crites Jr,, Nash, OK, and Trinity and Gary Smith, Weatherford, OK. Grandchildren, Jeff Crites and wife Natalie, Garrin Smith and wife Bianca, Ryler Smith, Trevin Smith, Gentry Smith; and one great grandson, Charley Crites. Brother, Bobby Holt and sister Charlotte Clayburn. Memorials may be made to Central Assembly of God in Enid, OK.
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