Obituary for Maxine Ross

Maxine Ross

(August 3, 1950 – October 1, 2015)

M. Maxine “Max” Ross, 65 passed away on Thursday, October 1, 2015 at her home in Ponca City surrounded by loved ones.

Max was born August 3, 1950 in Blackwell, OK to William “Bill” & Doris (Millage) Wilkerson. Max was the second of eight children, she spent her childhood in Oklahoma and California.

On May 8, 1970 she married Gaylord A. Ross in Ripley, OK. They were married for forty-five years and have two children.

Max was a stay at home mom until her children started school. At that time she began her 30+ year career working as a daycare teacher at Mother’s Day Out and eventually at Wee Care.

Max was an avid bowler and a member of various bowling leagues for more than 20 years. She participated in local, state, regional and National bowling tournaments across the US.

To many in the Ponca area and beyond she was known as “The Cookie Lady”. She would make hand decorated sugar cookies for all major holidays and special occasions. She was especially known for her “Santa” cookies.

Max enjoyed tending to her vegetable and flower gardens. She enjoyed traveling with both family and friends all across the U.S. and Canada as well as taking cruises. She fulfilled her quest to tour Europe and cruise the Mediterranean Sea this last year.

Max’s life was centered around spending time with her family. Which included baking and playing games with her grandchildren and also helping with getting them to and from their activities.

She is survived by her loving husband Gaylord of the home; daughter, Becky Ross and her wife Julie VanHorn of Denver; son Bryan and his wife Tricia; three grandchildren Austin, Coltan and Breann Ross; her parents; four sisters, Joyce and Mike Ross, Sheryl and Buddy Vaughan, Shirley and John Studebaker, Mary and Bill (deceased) Ramsey; three brothers, William “Bill” Wilkerson, Rick and Tami Wilkerson, Larry and Kelly Wilkerson and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service has been scheduled for Monday, October 5 at 10am at the First Church of God in Ponca City with Pastor Sunie Stolhand presiding. The internment will be held at Longwood Cemetery immediately following the service. Casket bearers for the service will be; Aaron Vaughan, Eric Vaughan, Mike Ross, John Studebaker, Austin Ross, Coltan Ross. David Dodge and Troy Lester will serve as honorary bearers.

Max has requested that everyone wear a purple shirt.

Trout Funeral home is in charge of the arrangements.

In Lieu of flowers and cards the family asks that friends please consider making a donation to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma.

Source: Trout Funeral Home