Helen Marie Parsons

A celebration of Marie’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 16, 2024, at Claremore First Methodist Church, 1615 N. Hwy. 88. 

Helen Marie (Stevens) Parsons passed away Friday, February 2, 2024 surrounded by her children. She was born April 26, 1935 in Hutchinson, KS to Frank and Lucile Electa (Wheeler) Stevens.

She met the love of her life, William Francis “Jack” Parsons while he was serving in the US Navy. She offered him a piece of her blue-ribbon pie, but he asked for another piece of her fried chicken. They married September 7, 1954 in Hutchinson, KS. Settling in Anadarko, OK, they raised their four children.

Meticulously organized, Marie worked as inventory secretary for Anadarko Auto Supply. Jack and Marie’s Restaurant was opened where her fantastic cooking was loved by many, especially her cinnamon rolls! Marie retired from Anadarko Public Schools where she had been the attendance secretary. After retirement, Marie and Jack moved to Claremore, OK.

Always an active member of the Methodist Church, Marie was heavily involved with Volunteers in Mission. Together, Marie and Jack, built a mission with team housing, clinic, and church in Pitorreal, Mexico. For over 25 years, she cooked for the mission teams they hosted. Each year, Marie would load up donations she had gathered to take to the Tarahumaran people and return with jars of home-made apples from the orchard in their mission home. 

Preceded in death by her parents, sister Loreine Moll, husband of 66 years, Jack, and son Bill Parsons.

Survived by: sister, Jean Stange of Hutchinson, KS; daughter Suzie and husband Russell Woods of Claremore; daughter-in-love, Sandy Parsons of Siloam Springs; son, Bob Parsons of Blanchard; daughter, Lucy Milliser of OKC; “son”, Obed and wife Eunice Alba of El Paso, TX. She was Mamau to over 24 grand and great grandchildren.

 In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Marie’s name to the Claremore First Methodist Church Tarahumara Mission Fund. 

The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff of The Courtyard Assisted Living Center, (formerly The Brookfield) and Good Shepherd Hospice for their years of loving care and support.