Graveside service for Chelsea resident, Mary Louise Walkingstick will be 11:00 am Monday, November 5, 2018, at Chelsea Cemetery, under the direction of Chelsea Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Visitation will be from 1-6 pm at the funeral home on Sunday, November 4; family will greet friends from 4-6 pm. Mary passed from this life on Wednesday, October 31, 2018. She was 77 years old.
Mary was born to Thomas Markum Welch and Florence (McKenzie) Welch on March 16, 1941. She spent her childhood years in Stilwell, Oklahoma, graduating from Stilwell High School in 1960. On December 22, 1961, she married Watie Walkingstick. They spent a few years in Wichita, Kansas, before moving back to Oklahoma, settling in the Bushyhead area.
Most of Mary's adult life was spent as a homemaker, while Wade worked for and retired from the railroad. She also helped her husband with his business ventures. They bought the Bushyhead grocery. Several years later, they opened a car dealership called Wade's Used Cars.
When time allowed, Mary had many pursuits that she enjoyed. She liked to sew and make quilts. She looked forward to family gatherings. But her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren. She taught them how to play cards, and she also loved watching them play sports, especially football.
Survivors include her husband, Watie Walkingstick; her children, Keeven Walkingstick and wife Rita, Ladena Coppinger and husband Don, and Eric Walkingstick and wife Amy; grandchildren, Mason Walkingstick, Dawson Coppinger, Hunter Walkingstick, and Cade Walkingstick; and siblings, Edward Welch, Carl Welch, and Geraldine Dobbs.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers, Ray Welch and Leroy Welch.
View and sign Mary's online memorial at
www.mmsfuneralhomes.com