Mary Lee Roden

Mary Lee Roden died Monday, November 1, 2021 at the age of 92.
Mary Lee Jinks was born May 25, 1929, in Rush Springs, Oklahoma, and graduated from Rush Springs High School, later going on to get her bachelors and masters degrees. She and Bobby Carl Roden were married in Rush Springs and lived in Rush Springs and Marlow. They moved to Claremore in 1966 for Bob to pursue his banking career. Many in the community knew her as Precious – lovingly called this by her late husband Bob C. He even had a license plate for her car titled “Presh”.
Mary was a former educator in the Claremore School system, teaching 2nd grade for several years at Stuart Roosa Elementary. Her activism in the educational community, in addition to her love for children, drew Mary Lee to run for and be elected as Rogers County Superintendent of Schools.
She was involved in several business interests with Bob—including the Men’s Shop in Ne-Mar Center, Mercedes Boot Company and T.O. Stanley Boot Company in El Paso, Texas. Mary Lee loved to cook for guests – especially for impromptu guests coming to the house. She especially loved babysitting and spoiling her grandson, Boots (Rodne). It was also a well-known fact she always carried a mini bottle of hot sauce in her purse whenever she went to restaurants—causing many a laugh at the dinner table.
Surviving Mary Lee are her grandson Rodne (Boots) and wife Julie, great-grandson Rodrick, sister in-law Ruby Jinks of Edinburg, Texas, and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Bobby Carl Roden (Bob C), son Rodne, infant daughter, Beverly, father, Cecil C. Jinks and mother Velan Harris Jinks, and brother Robert Lee Jinks.
Visitation will be at MMS-Payne Funeral Home in Claremore on Friday, November 5, 2021 from 5 to 7 p.m. and graveside services in Rush Springs on Monday, November 8, 11:00 a.m..
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Will Rogers Memorial.