Mildred Jean Clanahan

Born August 11, 1930, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Walker Boyd Beverly and Mildred Elnora Skeen Beverly, Mildred lived a life defined by faith, love, and an open door.

On March 21, 1947, she married the love of her life, Bobby Joe Clanahan. Their marriage was a partnership of deep faith and enduring affection that lasted until Joe’s passing on October 12, 1991. She never remarried — Joe was always it for her.

Together, Mildred and Joe were founding members of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City, where Mildred faithfully kept the rolls of new members — though legend has it she nearly forgot to include her own family.

Her faith was the quiet, steady center of her life. She was a devoted student of the Disciple Bible Study, found joy in watching Dr. Charles Stanley’s televised ministry, and held an unwavering belief in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.

A remarkable woman in every sense, Mildred was a proud 20-year breast cancer survivor, having faced the disease with the same quiet strength she brought to everything in life.

Mildred had a passion for travel, particularly overseas, and in her later years discovered the joy of cruising when long distances became more difficult. She was an avid reader — losing her eyesight in her final years was one of her greatest personal hardships. She loved old movies and musicals. When it came to cards, she was equally at home at a Bridge or Canasta table as she was in a friendly game of Poker. For many years, she and her sister Linda shared a love of genealogy research and took memorable trips to old cemeteries in pursuit of family history. Mildred spent countless Thursdays at the Historical Center doing research.

A gracious and devoted hostess, her home was always immaculate and her pantry always stocked with soda, candy, and cookies for the grandchildren. She cherished her weekly Sunday dinners with her family. If you ever left her table hungry or wanting, it was no fault of hers — and certainly not for lack of trying.

To nearly everyone who knew her — grandchildren, their friends, and friends of the family alike — she was simply Mimi. She cherished that role above all others and delighted in reminding her grandchildren that they would never be too big to sit in her lap. She meant every word.

Mildred is survived by her son, Phillip Clanahan; her daughter, Paula Ferguson, and son-in-law Mark Ferguson; her grandchildren, Rachel Salerno and husband Dominick, Robert Clanahan and wife Jessica, James Clanahan, Kelsey Dobson and husband Jeremy, and Michael Clanahan; eight great-grandchildren (Eli, Dominick, Natalia, Elliott, Penelope, Millie, Erial, Ecko) and her sisters, Linda Leister and Judy Parsons.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Joe Clanahan; her parents; and her siblings, Harold Beverly, W. Dean Beverly, and Phyllis Ambrister.

Mimi’s lap, her table, and her heart were always open. She leaves behind a family that was deeply loved — and a legacy as warm and lasting as the faith she lived by.