Mary Genelle Anderson was born October 20th, 1940 in Chickasha, Oklahoma to Mary Lucille (Slusher) and Ira Edgar Elledge. She passed away Saturday, June 15th, 2024 in Elk City, Oklahoma at the age of 83 years, 7 months and 26 days.

Mary grew up in Chickasha, Oklahoma where she attended and graduated from high school in 1958. After graduation she furthered her education at Oklahoma College for Women (OCW). Mary later attended Oklahoma State University where she received her bachelors degree in education. It was during that same year that she was married to Carrol Reid Anderson in Chickasha, Oklahoma on December 10, 1961. Together Mary and Carrol made their home and raised their family in Chickasha, Oklahoma; Rochester, Minnesota; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Tuscon, Arizona; and Albuquerque, New Mexico before moving to Elk City, Oklahoma. Mary began with the Elk City Public Schools in 1980 and continued her own learning obtaining her masters degree in education that same year. She continued to teach and mentor middle school kids until her retirement in 2000.

Mary, being an education advocate, worked tirelessly and besides earning numerous awards, sat on the board for OEA and also served as the president for the Oklahoma Reading Association. She was also passionate about cosmetics and was a director for Mary Kay for more than 20 years selling and assisting women with their cosmetic needs not only in Elk City, but throughout western Oklahoma. In what spare time Mary had, she enjoyed reading, teaching children, attending worship services at the 2nd & Adams Church of Christ, teaching Sunday school, and spending time with family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Franklynn Elledge; three sisters, Glenda Pershina, Susan Thorne, and Rebecca "Becky" Elledge; Sister-in-law Janet Anderson; and nephew Douglas Pershina.

Mary is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Carrol; 2 daughters, Kristin Kaye Anderson and spouse Stacey, Houston, TX and Amanda West Lubbers and partner Van Nabb, Midwest City, Oklahoma; 1 son, Cary Adams Anderson and wife, Kelli, Edmond, Oklahoma; Sister-in-law Donna Elledge, nephew Jonathan Elledge, niece Lucinda Elledge; brother-in-law Gene Anderson, nieces Stephanie (Mike) Millar, Susan Anderson, Fred (Mike) Penn; 5 grandchildren, Zach (Hailey) Anderson, Jake (Morgan) Anderson, Nathan (Alyshia) Lubbers, Tyler (Davie) Lubbers , Acasha (Braden) Lubbers; and lots of great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Mary is also survived by her dog Lucky and cat Kitty (who doesn't like anyone else) and a host of other relatives and friends.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Elk City Homestead and Good Shepard hospice for the love and care they provided Mary.

Memorial gifts for Mary can be made to the Alzheimer's Association act.alz.org or Friends of Animals Friendsofanimals.org.