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Mary Beth Clasby Wilson, 87, of Shawnee, Okla., passed away peacefully at Regency Nursing Home on Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Shawnee surrounded by her family and friends. Born in Cushing, Okla., on August 10, 1937, Mary Beth was the daughter of the late William and Irma Clasby.
She married her high school sweetheart, Emmet Lee Wilson, on February 14, 1959, in Oklahoma City, Okla., where she also grew up.
She graduated from Classen High School located in Oklahoma City in 1954. Enrolling at Oklahoma State University, Mary Beth earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education in 1958, graduating with honors. As a college student, she was secretary of Young Democrats and joined President Harry S. Truman on a tour of the university. The president of O.S.U. and a group of students and faculty also participated in the tour.
She was a member and vice president of the Kappa Delta sorority and placed second in the Greek Night Varsity Review Beauty Contest when she was a junior. She was involved in many clubs and service work as a college student.
After college graduation, Mary Beth dedicated more than 30 years to teaching public school as an art teacher and fifth grade teacher. She also served as a junior high and high school counselor for Shawnee Public Schools in Shawnee. Mary Beth was passionate about teaching every child who entered her classroom each year.
She earned a master's degree in school counseling from East Central University in Ada, Okla., in 1980. As an educator, she was instrumental in the implementation of DARE and TAD (Teens Against Drugs) programs and also served as President of the Shawnee Association of Classroom Teachers from 1983-1985. Mary Beth was active in serving her Shawnee community.
She was a member and president of Shakespeare Ladies Club, often hosting tea for members in her home.
She was a member and eight year president of United Methodist Women's Group. She taught Sunday school to youth of various ages for 10 years.
Additionally, she served on the Gateway Board of Directors for several years and as a member of Toastmasters International for eight years where she won awards in an array of speaking competitions.
Mary Beth loved spending time with her family. She also loved to travel, hike, read, and visit art galleries and museums. Mary Beth and her sister, Wilhelmina Maguire, traveled to Paris and London at age 70 for two weeks. They also went hiking at Estes Park in Colorado each summer for decades. She also cherished her extended family and took joy in making others happy, especially her three children, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. She had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh.
Mary Beth is survived by her loving husband Emmet Wilson, her daughter, Amy Wilson, two sons, Andrew Wilson and Richard Wilson, grandchildren: Jessica, Ty, J.D., Madison, and her great-grandchildren: Leo, Nolan, and Owen.
Friends and family will gather to celebrate her life at a memorial reception on Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 3 - 5 p.m. at Walker Funeral & Cremation Service. Arrangements are under the direction of Walker Funeral & Cremation Service, 201 E. 45th Street, Shawnee, OK 74804. www.walkerfuneral.com.
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