Obituary for Mary Freeman

Mary Alta (Saxon) Freeman

September 20, 1936 ~ April 23, 2020 (age 83)

Mary Freeman longtime Ponca City resident passed away April 23, 2020 in Stillwater with her daughter and Sister by her side. She was 83 years of age. She was born September 20, 1936 at Baylor Hospital in Dallas, Texas.

Graveside services will be held 2 pm Thursday, May 28, 2020 at the Odd Fellows Cemetery Ponca City, OK. Cremation arrangements are in care of Grace Memorial Chapel of Ponca City, OK

Mary started elementary school in Dallas, her family moved to Ponchatula, La when Mary was 8 years old. This year was particularly memorable when her sister was born there. The family eventually settled in Uncas, OK. Mary finished her early education in Uncas. She rode a bus each day to East Junior High and she graduated from PO High in 1955. After moving to Ponca City She attended Ponca City Business College and began her career working for Coca Cola bottling company and then Conoco Oil Company for 35 years. After her retirement she wasn’t one to stay idle so she went back to work running the Conoco Convenience store at 14th and Hartford for 15 years.

Mary enjoyed gardening and sharing her harvest with her neighbors, friends, customers, family and anyone she met whom she thought needed some Okra. Mary was also an accomplished oil painter after she took classes at the Ponca City Art Center. Mary was also known for her sewing, needlework, knitting and crocheting making baby blankets for her great nieces and nephews. Other hobbies include reading, walking, crossword puzzles, and getting together with her sister to work on jig saw puzzles.

Mary attended church her entire life. She was a member of the Baptist church in Uncas, a longtime member of Second Baptist Church in Ponca City, and most recently a member of Northeast Baptist Church. Her faith in God guided Mary all of her life.

Those left behind to cherish her memory are her daughter; Karri Freeman of Stillwater, OK, her granddaughter; Marylee Palafox also of Stillwater, sister Kathie Saxon Armstrong of Ponca City, Step Sister, Charlene Vap of Kildare, and Sister in law Gail (David) Saxon of Stillwater. Also surviving are her best friends and neighbors Lisa and Shawn Bocaneggra, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy Brantingham Godberson and step father Nathan C. Godberson, brothers William Saxon, Joseph Saxon and David Saxon and Step-sister Joy Marie Fair.

Mary’s family would like to Thank all Staff and Caregivers at Stillwater Creek Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. In these difficult times they went out of their way to be professional, safe, and sensitive to all of our family. We would also like to thank the professionals at Physicians Choice Hospice. Their love, support, and expertise were invaluable.

Online guest registry is available at www.gracememorialchapel.net