Mary Clarkson was born April 24th, 1936, in Bessie, Oklahoma, to parents Rosa and Louis Gerner. She grew up on the family farm in Bessie with her two sisters Grace and Alvera.
Some of the stories Angel told about her growing up are very interesting considering this generation. Angel said that Mary told her stories about her and her sisters milking cows and being so excited when momma (Grandma Gerner) made them dresses out of flour bags! My oh my, how things have changed!
As Mary grew older she moved away from home and began her career as a nurse in Sedona, Arizona. Caring for others was always second nature to Mary. In 1956 Mary welcomed her daughter Yvonne.
Years later, she returned to Oklahoma City and married Bill Tigert. They were a very happy couple and did most everything together including managing a trailer park where Mary was the manager and Bill was the maintenance man. Mary and Bill were the glue that held the family together and lived right down the street from Yvonne, Angel’s mother, and the family spent virtually every day together.
Grandpa Bill passed away suddenly in 1998 and shortly thereafter it was time for a change in Mary’s life. She moved to a quaint home off of a golf course and took care of Yvonne, Angel, William, and Kenneth. In 2001, Mary met Jim Clarkson and found the second love of her life. They moved to their country home in Bethel Acres, OK and began a new life. Together they raised miniature horses, planted beautiful trees, and placed bird feeders all over their property. They had a lovely front swing which they would sit and visit on together after dinner each night. Mary stayed busy taking care of the bird feeders and miniature horses each day. She also took great pride in delivering miniature baby horses and often times did some of the silliest things like placing blankets on the horses to keep them warm.
As stated earlier it was just in her nature to take care of everyone. Mary loved being a grandmother and always took the best care of Angel’s kids, Rilee and Jace, giving them virtually anything they wanted! One of the best memories of spending the night was the prayers grandma would say with the kids each night before bed.
She also greatly enjoyed cooking and baking. Her and Grandpa Jim’s best friends Emma Joyce and Gayle would come over along with Angel, Steve, Rilee and Jace and enjoy her delicious roast, mashed potatoes, and sweet tea. They would always top off the lovely evening with a Grandma Insisted large piece of chocolate with chocolate icing cake!
Later in life Mary needed a little assistance caring for her. Although her memory was compromised her happy spirit never faded. She loved singing and taking care of her new friends in memory care. To know Mary was an honor to any and all of us. She was beautiful inside and out and anyone that met her would tell you that.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter: Vonnie Roediger; grandchildren: Angelique Morton and Kenneth French; great grandchildren: Jake Manke and Rilee Morton; sister, Grace Spradlin; and nieces: Judy Oliver and Kim Spradlin.
She is preceded in death by her sister, Alvera Dickerson; and grandson, William Roediger.
Funeral services will be held 10:00 am, Saturday, February 22, 2020, at Bill Merritt Funeral Service in Bethany, Oklahoma. Burial will take place at 2:00 pm, Saturday, February 22, 2020 at Peace Lutheran Cemetery in Bessie, Oklahoma.