Dr. Mary’s Obituary Dr. Mary McGraw A Celebration of life for Dr. Mary Bess McGraw, 98, of Okemah, will be held at a later date. Dr. Mary McGraw was a legendary Okemah High School teacher who passed away Saturday, January 26, 2019 at the VA home in Sulphur. She was born May 12, 1920 in Ardmore to Ray and Ida Duston Holland.
While majoring in English as East Central State College, her studies were interrupted by WWII, and she was one of the first three women from Oklahoma to join the Naval Waves. She was assigned to the wartime intelligence community as a Cryptanalysis (codebreaker) in Washington, D.C. While stationed in D. C., she met and married Lieutenant DeLoss McGraw. After the war, Mary returned to Oklahoma to finish her degree and was subsequently hired in Okemah where she taught HS English and produced award winning plays.
Students loved and respected Mary for her no-nonsense teaching style with a focus on strengthening their literacy skills. As the first born daughter, Mary became the family matriarch and lovingly kept the family together while raising her son Del and pursuing a Masters and Doctorate in English. In 1963, Mary left many friends in Okemah to teach English at East Central State College.
While in Ada, she introduced the first course in Women’s Studies and fought for higher pay for women professors. After retirement, Mary moved to Norman where she continued as a Reader in the Christian Science Church and volunteered in the Christian Science Reading Room, attended plays, art shows and met new friends. Soon after, Okemah honored Mary by inducting her into the Okemah Hall of Fame.
Her son Del was also in inductee because of his internationally known art. Dr. McGraw was predeceased by her former husband, DeLoss McGraw; brother, Ray and wife Ruby Holland; sister-in-law, Lucretia Holland and brother-in-law, Clarence Porter. Survivors include her son, DeLoss McGraw; sister, Jimmie Porter; brothers, Fount and Curtis (Alleene) Holland; her grandchildren, Michelle (Michael) Gutman, Curtis McGraw, Holland (Alisha) McGraw and Dylan McGraw; and three great-grandchildren, Jackson, Hannah and Corbin.
She will also be remembered by nieces and nephews who have loving memories of Aunt Mary’s love and care. Her granddaughter, Michelle (McGraw) Gutman wrote the following: Mary McGraw was a devoted grandmother who loved her family, serving at the local Christian Science Church, and teaching literature. She always wore Chanel No.
5 or Shalimar perfume and made the best fried okra and peach cobbler. Every summer her grandchildren would spend a week with her, which always included multiple trips to Braum’s for ice cream, an appointment with her dentist, shopping for school clothes and long walks around the lake where she and her grandchildren fed the ducks angel food cake from the night before – but not before eating large handfuls. She instilled in her grandchildren an interest and love of family history and was always available and eager to listen.
Mary McGraw was a devoted grandmother who blessed her family with love. The family says those who wish may make memorials to the Okemah Alumni Association. A special thanks to the staff at the VA Home in Sulphur for their loving care and kindness.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada is in charge of arrangements. Obituary may be viewed at www. criswellfh.com.
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