Mary Lillian Holt

Funeral services for Mary Lillian (Willis) Holt will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at the MMS-Payne Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Talala. 

Mary passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her loving family, on Monday, January 13, 2025, at the age of 88.

Mary was born on October 21, 1936, in Talala, Oklahoma, to Chester and Olive (Clark) Willis-Trissell. She grew up in Talala and attended school there, graduating with the class of 1954. That same year, while cruising Main Street in Nowata, she met Harley Holt. After a year of courtship, the two were married on May 29, 1955.

The newlyweds began their life together in Nowata but soon moved around the country, following Harley’s work opportunities to California, Arkansas, and Oklahoma before settling in Claremore in 1967. As her children grew older, Mary entered the workforce. She worked as a nurse's aide at Aunt Carrie’s Nursing Home, as a clerk at Christine’s Flower Shop, and as a sales clerk for B & K Clothing and its subsidiary Direct Sales. She retired from her career in 1994. Even after retirement Mary continued to serve as the secretary/treasurer for the Talala all school reunion a job she was honored to do for many years. She always enjoyed visiting with all of her class mates.”

After retirement, Mary and Harley embraced their love for travel. Among her favorite destinations were family visits in California, adventures in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, and exploring the beauty of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.

Mary had a passion for creativity and took joy in sewing, photography, and scrapbooking. She also had a remarkable talent for gardening, always maintaining an immaculate yard that brought her great pride. She also enjoyed selling her hand made embroidery items at the local craft shows along side her husband Harley's knife booth. 

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Chester and Olive Willis-Trissell; her beloved husband, Harley Holt; and her brothers, George, Robert, and Henry Willis.

She leaves behind a legacy of love, cherished memories, and a family that adored her. Mary will be remembered for her strength, kindness, and devotion to her family, as well as for her creative spirit and love for life.

She is survived by her daughters, Mary Jane Anderson and husband Danny, Brenda Stonebarger and husband Charles, Kathy McDoulett, Susie Rains and husband Eddy, and Harla Moore and husband Phillip, Grandkids Kris Stonebarger, Angie Hamilton, Reggie Anderson, Earl McDoulett, Amanda Carlson, Alicia Nees, Blake Rains, Shelby McCurdy and Sean Moore and Heather Moore; 26 great grandkids and 10 great-great grandkids; many friends.

Mary’s family and friends take comfort in knowing she is reunited with her loved ones who went before her, and she will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

View and sign Mary's online memorial at www.mmsfuneralhomes.com