Mary Lou Graham

Growing up in Depression-era northeastern Oklahoma, she was blessed to be part of a large, close family that gathered often to visit and share meals. Her memories of those times were vivid, recalling both hardship and wonderful events and people who mattered most to her.

She graduated from high school at age 16, married, and had three children before earning both a Bachelor of Science in Education (1965) and Master of Education (1970) from Northeastern State College in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. In between those degrees, while working and attending classes, Mary Lou welcomed her fourth child, a baby daughter. Over her long career, she taught in numerous New Mexico and Oklahoma schools where thousands of children learned to read, write, and do arithmetic in her classroom. Notably, at least one senior English class discovered there was a huge variety of literature outside their small town 1960s high school.

Mary Lou was a fabulous cook who greatly enjoyed feeding family and friends, especially her delicious baked goods. She loved doing many types of crafts, as well as reading, sewing, and playing cards. Outside interests included gardening, both flowers and vegetables, raising chickens and llamas, fishing, and deer hunting in the New Mexico mountains. An excellent dancer and avid fan of casinos, she also had a keen eye for antiques, as evidenced by her many beautiful treasures.

Baptized into the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (now Community of Christ), she remained loyal to her faith and believed in the power of prayer.

Small in stature, she was feisty, outspoken, and opinionated her whole life, being best remembered for her strength, courage, common sense, resourcefulness, generosity, and compassion. Her family was always at the center of her existence, loving us unconditionally throughout her long life.

Those she leaves behind are son Stanley Foster (Alexia), daughters Geanette Garcia (Joseph) and Shelly Terrazas (George Burnett), stepdaughters Stephanie Thompson (Scott), Jennifer Graham, and Melanie Graham, brother Ervin Eastham (Cynda), sisters Charlene Tucker and Juanita Sellers (Albert), grandchildren Alexia, Wayne, Zachery, Zakilah, Jalene, and Ezra, great-grandchildren Grady, Russell, Sam, Bronwyn, Kellen, Stella, and Oliver. She is also remembered by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends.

Those greeting her in Heaven are her little brother Billy Tommy Eastham, parents Virgil and Christell (Eden) Eastham, husband Harry Graham, son Charles Eugene (Gene) Foster, grandson Duggan Foster, and a host of beloved friends and cherished relatives.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date.