Mattie Meyer

Mattie Ada (Burford Cozart) Meyer was born in Waukomis, Oklahoma December 2, 1922. She was the youngest and curly redhead of three children of Verna “Gangy” and Hugh “Dick” Cozart who worked a homestead farm and managed several businesses in Garfield County through the Dust Bowl years. She drove a wheat truck to market, raised and showed champion sheep, sang in the chorus, and represented Oklahoma at national 4-H conventions in Chicago and Washington D.C.

Mattie graduated valedictorian of her class, sang and played marimba, and met Lester Meyer at Waukomis High School. She attended Phillips University, taught secondary school and left Oklahoma State University to marry Lester at his naval base in San Diego before he shipped out in 1944.

She was a wonderful mother of three preacher’s kids (PKs), very grand mother to seven grandchildren and great grandmother of twelve so far – feeding them butterhorn rolls and sugar cookies, playing Wahoo and teaching love, faith and that all is possible.

Mattie and Lester served 43 years together in the United Methodist Church. Mattie was the minister’s wife, which included being staff support, organist, choir director and Sunday school teacher. They served Methodist congregations at Driftwood & Byron near Enid, Blue Mound near Denton, Trinity in Enid, Comanche, Broken Arrow First, Edmond First, and Linwood and Nichols Hills in Oklahoma City. They also served Oklahoma UMC Conference Districts of Stillwater, Tulsa and North Oklahoma City.

Mattie was a stalwart member of United Methodist Women and many circles concerning church, society and women’s issues. She retired with Lester at Epworth Villa in Oklahoma City and lived the next 21 years among countless friends, directing the choir and volunteering service as part of the founding family. She was a gracious, joyful southern lady and lived her faith.

Lester, Hugh her brother and wife Dorothy, and Opal her sister and husband Carl preceded her in death. Left to continue good work on this earth are children Carol, Richard, Annette, grandchildren Michael Schoeffler, Amy Diane Warren, Chad Harper, Tanna Bader, Jacob Harper, Tara Meyer, Adam Meyer and their families, and a wonderful extended family.

A memorial service will be at Nichols Hills United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City Friday, September 14 at 10 AM. It is preceded by burial at Waukomis Cemetery Thursday at 2 PM. Memorials may be given to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at 26 Broadway, 14th Floor, NY, NY 10004, or Suzanna Wesley Benevolent Fund at 14901 N. Penn. Oklahoma City 73132.

We give thanks for Mattie’s long, full life of faith, love and hope.