Mary Ellen Rector

Mary Ellen Needles Rector left this world peacefully to be with her Eternal Father at the age of 87 on September 25, 2013 from the home of her son, David, in Drumright, OK. She was born to Ralph and Madge Needles on October 13, 1925 in Oklahoma City. While attending Crestwood Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, she met her childhood sweetheart and future husband, Roy Rector, Jr., who she married on December 23, 1945. She was a supportive wife while her husband gathered his education and was a devoted and involved minister’s wife while her husband was pastor at the First Baptist Church of Burns Flat and Pauls Valley and churches in Oklahoma City. In 1968 following a nearly fatal stroke of her husband, Mary Ellen went to work to support her family as a civil service employee at Tinker Air Force Base where she became an Items Manager for military aircraft parts on many of the Air Force’s most important and heavily used aircraft. Through her work Mary Ellen became involved with Toastmasters International in which she steadily advanced into a leadership position helping others to advance along the way. When not at work and after her retirement she enjoyed spending a lot of time in her vegetable and flower garden doing the endless work required to keep it thriving and beautiful. Many times she could be found talking on the phone counseling and praying with a close friend with one of her well used Bibles open to a helpful verse. Mary Ellen and her husband Roy were always active in their Church and enjoyed having prayer meetings with friends in their home and attending Christian convention meetings. She made several enjoyable visits to the East Coast to see Ralph, her older son, and visit historic sites. She also enjoyed crocheting and collecting Cardinal and butterfly collectables. She tirelessly cared for Roy in their home until his death in 1997. Mary moved to Drumright in 2008 where she lived her final years in her son’s loving care.