Mary Anne Goree loved the Lord, the Scriptures, and her family.  She was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, on August 14th, 1944.  Mary Anne and Jack were married for 62 years before his passing in February of this year.  They are now united again in their Heavenly home.

Mary Anne grew up in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and met Jack on the campus of Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.  Not long after their marriage she accompanied him to Massachusetts where she finished her education while he completed his military training.  The couple settled down in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she raised her sons, attended church, and volunteered in the community.  Mary Anne was very active in her church, volunteering at Vacation Bible School, teaching young people in the Youth Department, supervising students at summer camp, and hosting many parties and events in her home. Mary Anne served as the president of the Parent Teacher Association at the school her sons attended.  While Jack was practicing law Mary Anne was in leadership with the Tulsa County Bar Auxiliary.

Mary Anne had many hobbies and interests.  She was an avid reader, especially enjoying mysteries, and was known to stay up into the early hours of the morning to finish a book!  She was a skilled gardener and was especially fond of flowers.  She loved all things Christmas.  She cherished Christmas decorations of all kinds and was particularly enamored with Hallmark ornaments and Christmas trees: once saying in the middle of summer, "Well, I guess it is time to take down the Christmas tree."

Mary Anne had a very clever wit and a tremendous sense of humor.  She was a great conversationalist especially with children and people of all ages who needed a listening ear and some compassion.

Not long before her passing she began to tell friends and family that she was "waiting for Jesus" and was eager to see the Lord and Jack again.  When asked about what she was looking forward to in Heaven she replied, "No more diabetes and getting to eat chocolate covered cherries!"

Mary Anne is survived by her son Brian Goree and his wife Jill of Oklahoma City, her son Christopher Goree and his wife Laurie of Colorado Springs, her sister Carol Lay, her brother Roger Walker and his wife Betty, and her brother Jim Walker; six grandchildren, Michelle Tankersley and her husband Ryan, Philip Goree, Kevin Goree, Aaron Goree and his wife Hannah, Daniel Goree and his wife Chynna, Anna Spence and her husband Nathan; 5 great grandchildren, Nathaniel Tankersley, Skye Tankersley, Joy Tankersley, Theodore Spence, and Ella Spence; and many additional nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband Jack Yelton Goree, her father and mother, James Otis Walker and Wilma Walker, her sisters Odessa McMullen, Martha Mitchell, Karen Morgan, Velva Walker, and nephew Jon Walker.