Mary Jane Parker

Mary Jane Parker was born on March 17, 1947, in Oklahoma City. Mary passed from this life to her eternal resting place on January 18th, 2026, surrounded by her beloved family and grandboys. She attended Lee Elementary, then went to Capitol Hill Junior High and High School. She graduated in 1969 from the University of Oklahoma with a BA degree in Education.

Mary met Bob in 1961 at Blue River in SE Oklahoma. Mary was 14 years old when she met Bob. They dated all through high school and married in 1967. When she completed her education at OU, she was hired by the Oklahoma City Public Schools, teaching third grade. Mary’s love for her students and teaching was truly one of her most prized accomplishments. Mary and Bob were blessed with two beautiful sons. Matthew and Benjamin Parker. Mary absolutely loved being their mom. Her pride for the men that they had become was evident. Mary was fortunate enough to be a stay-at-home mom for 20 years. During those years, she never quit teaching. She was a Sunday school teacher. She was a vacation Bible school teacher. She was a Mother’s Day Out teacher at Saint Marks United Methodist Church. Mary went back to teaching in 1990 with the Putnam City School District, and she taught for 14 more years. Mary retired in May 2004, her last year of teaching, Mary was the teacher of the year. Something that she held as a high honor, and also carried it with deep humility. Mary retired to be a grandmother to her first grandchild, Will. Mary was blessed with two more grandchildren, Charlie and James. Her grandchildren were her absolute pride and joys. Mary did not have daughters of her own; she considered her two daughters-in-law, Abbie and Terri, as her daughters. She also considered Tamar and Rhaima Parks as her daughters, too.

The love of her life was Bob Parker; they were very happily married for almost 59 years. Mary and Bob enjoyed each other immensely.

In Mary’s own words, “ God has blessed me with a wonderful family, a great teaching career, and wonderful friends. I became a Christian at the age of 11 years old, and God has been close to me all my life. Now I am with Him.”

A Celebration of Life for Mary Jane Parker will be held January 30th, 2026, at 1:00 PM at St. Marks United Methodist Church, 8140 NW 36th Street in Bethany, OK 73008.

The Family will spread Mary's ashes at Blue River at her request in the Spring.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested a donation to St. Marks United Methodist Church https://stmarksbethany.churchcenter.com/giving