Welcome to the memorial page for
Mary Jane Adkins
March 2, 1925 ~ February 18, 2017 (age 91) 91 Years OldShare Tribute:
Mary Jane, formerly of Ponca City and Norman and more recently, Tulsa, died Saturday, February 18, 2017 in Tulsa. She was 91 years of age.
A graveside service will be held Saturday, February 25, 2017, 11:00 a.m. at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery in Ponca City. Arrangements are by Havenbrook Funeral Home.
Mary Jane was born in Cushing, OK to Jacob and Blanche (Brink) Forter on March 2, 1925. She attended Ponca City schools graduating from “PoHi” in 1941. She studied one year at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK. After returning to Ponca City, she worked at Conoco. She was active in First Christian Church, Ponca City. It was at that church she met the greatest love of her life, Walt Adkins. When he walked into her Sunday school class, she quietly whispered to her friend, that was the man she was going to marry, and indeed she did.
To this union three children were born, Margaret, David, and Polly. Walt and Mary Jane were married for 61 years until her beloved Walt died in 2008. Those that knew them would say they were “joined at the hip”. They were a true testament to the true meaning of love and marriage.
Mary Jane was a homemaker for many years, later working as a teachers’ aide at Garfield Elementary, and as church secretary at First Christian Church and Community Christian Church in Ponca City. Mary Jane was an accomplished pianist and organist serving as church organist at Woodlands Christian Church for many years.
After she and Walt both retired, they bought their first “fifth wheel” and began having tons of senior fun traveling with their Ponca City friends from Branson, MO to south Texas and points in between. They had many wonderful years traveling until they had to settle in one place for health reasons. They chose to settle in Norman, OK to be close to family.
Mary Jane moved to Tulsa in 2015, residing with her daughter, Polly.
During Walt and Mary Jane’s life together they were very active in church life. Their faith in God was unfailing. They set a beautiful example for their children as they were also very active. The Adkins family served and participated in many aspects of church life.
Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, Walt, son Dr. David Adkins, and great-granddaughter, Dacia Parnell.
Survivors include daughters Margaret Herren and husband R.L., Polly Burk and husband Joe; grandchildren, Trey Herren and wife Mary, Michelle Vick and husband Keith, Jeff Herren and fiancé Jill Mason, and Allison Burk; great grandchildren Jordan Coleman and husband Bo, Grady Herren, Jacob Mason, Rae Lynne Hughey, Jeremy Whitaker, and Jessie Hughey; great great grandchildren Aubree and Addie Coleman, Tripp Whitaker and Jalynne Hughey. She also leaves behind many wonderful friends in Ponca City, Norman, and Tulsa. Everyone that knew her came to love her.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church of Norman, earmarked for the Music Department.
A graveside service will be held Saturday, February 25, 2017, 11:00 a.m. at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery in Ponca City. Arrangements are by Havenbrook Funeral Home.
Mary Jane was born in Cushing, OK to Jacob and Blanche (Brink) Forter on March 2, 1925. She attended Ponca City schools graduating from “PoHi” in 1941. She studied one year at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK. After returning to Ponca City, she worked at Conoco. She was active in First Christian Church, Ponca City. It was at that church she met the greatest love of her life, Walt Adkins. When he walked into her Sunday school class, she quietly whispered to her friend, that was the man she was going to marry, and indeed she did.
To this union three children were born, Margaret, David, and Polly. Walt and Mary Jane were married for 61 years until her beloved Walt died in 2008. Those that knew them would say they were “joined at the hip”. They were a true testament to the true meaning of love and marriage.
Mary Jane was a homemaker for many years, later working as a teachers’ aide at Garfield Elementary, and as church secretary at First Christian Church and Community Christian Church in Ponca City. Mary Jane was an accomplished pianist and organist serving as church organist at Woodlands Christian Church for many years.
After she and Walt both retired, they bought their first “fifth wheel” and began having tons of senior fun traveling with their Ponca City friends from Branson, MO to south Texas and points in between. They had many wonderful years traveling until they had to settle in one place for health reasons. They chose to settle in Norman, OK to be close to family.
Mary Jane moved to Tulsa in 2015, residing with her daughter, Polly.
During Walt and Mary Jane’s life together they were very active in church life. Their faith in God was unfailing. They set a beautiful example for their children as they were also very active. The Adkins family served and participated in many aspects of church life.
Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, Walt, son Dr. David Adkins, and great-granddaughter, Dacia Parnell.
Survivors include daughters Margaret Herren and husband R.L., Polly Burk and husband Joe; grandchildren, Trey Herren and wife Mary, Michelle Vick and husband Keith, Jeff Herren and fiancé Jill Mason, and Allison Burk; great grandchildren Jordan Coleman and husband Bo, Grady Herren, Jacob Mason, Rae Lynne Hughey, Jeremy Whitaker, and Jessie Hughey; great great grandchildren Aubree and Addie Coleman, Tripp Whitaker and Jalynne Hughey. She also leaves behind many wonderful friends in Ponca City, Norman, and Tulsa. Everyone that knew her came to love her.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church of Norman, earmarked for the Music Department.
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