Mary Alice (Keys) Epperson

Mary Alice Keys-Epperson was born on December 24th, 1938 in Tahlequah, OK, the daughter of Kale Star and Edna (Alexander) Keys. She grew up with three sisters, Norma Harper, Elizabeth Walker, and Irene Palmer. She attended school and graduated from Baggley High School, and then decided to be the best wife and mother she could be. She met Arter Epperson and they were married on August 5th, 1974 in Wilberton, AR. Together they would raise a family of three sons and two daughters, Jack Monholland, Arter Kale Lee, Arter Jr., Alice, and Audrey “Star”. She was happiest caring for her husband and family, they meant everything to her. She kept house, grew beautiful vegetables and flowers in her gardens, kept her yard picture perfect, and did a little crocheting when she finally sat down at night. Mary was a hard worker by nature and felt any job worth doing should be done right and by her! From carpentry to home repairs, Mary did it all and very well. When she had grown up, her father deeded her an acre of land and it was here she built the home she would raise her family in. She often supplemented the family income by working outside of the home, she worked at the canning company in Stilwell, the Ozark Nursey and the Keys School before retiring to the peace and tranquility of her own home. She attended Cherokee Home Mission and worked with T.A.P, doing missionary work and helping young men find their way in the world, helping them to grow stronger in faith. She loved teaching children about the loving God she served all the days of her life. She loved people and loved helping them in any way she could. She was kind hearted and always cared what was going on in the lives of others. She was gentle spirited, loving and was always available when she was needed. She was the proud grandmother of twelve and the great grandmother of fourteen. She loved any chance to have her babies around her, and holidays were something she loved to celebrate with her family. The simple things in life made her happy, the sunrise and sunset at her own backdoor, the smell of coffee in the morning and the sound of laughter in the room. God called this good and faithful servant home from her labors on May 23rd, 2021 in Tahlequah, OK, surrounded by those she loved. She was 82 years old.

She is preceded in death by her mother and father, one sister Norma Harper, and her grandparents.

She is remembered by her husband of 47 years, Arter Epperson, and her children, Jack Monholland of Keys, OK, Arter Kale Lee Epperson and wife Evelyn Marie of Moore, OK, Arter Epperson Jr of Tahlequah, OK, Alice Smith and husband Martin of Cherokee County, OK, and Audrey “Star” Adair of Tahlequah, OK. She leaves two sisters, Elizabeth Walker of Keys, OK, and Irene Palmer of Hulbert, OK. She lives on in her twelve grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones.

Graveside services Mary Alice Keys-Epperson will be held on Thursday, May 27th, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Park Hill Cemetery in Park Hill, OK with Pastor Bill Dallas officiating. Honorary pallbearers for Mary include George Allen Murphy, Austin Smith, Timmy Epperson, Newton Adair, Jeremy Adair, Joseph Roades, Michael Epperson and Christian” Cordell” Epperson. Her family will receive visitors on Wednesday, May 26th, 2021 at Reed-culver Chapel beginning at 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM. Online condolences for her family may be left at www.reedculver.com.