Mary Ella (Nichols) Dennis

Mary Ella (Nichols) Dennis passed from this life into the arms of her Savior and Lord Jesus Christ on the 30th day of April, 2023, just 3 days short of her 90th birthday, with her family by her side.

Mary Nichols was born on the 3rd day of May in 1933, at their family farm in Honobia, Oklahoma, to Thomas Nichols of Bentonville, Arkansas and Arvie Ella (Williams) Nichols, of Honobia. Mary was the third of five children in the Nichols family: Margie Ellen, Samuel Clarance, Carl Odell, Mary Ella, and Jewell Wynell.

Mary's parents were members of the Holiness Church at Honobia and made sure their children were at Church every time the doors were open. Mary gave her heart and life to Jesus and was baptized at age thirteen. She would always hold her faith in Christ as most important.

The Nichols family began at Honobia where Mary's dad helped on the Williams family farm. They always had a big garden, farmed cotton for sale, raised lots of corn for livestock and cut firewood to sell and barter. In the late 1930s and early 1940s the Nichols family move several times trying to make a better living for their family. First they moved to Swink OK to farm, then to Valliant OK, and later to Wright City OK, to work at the sawmill. Their family was accustomed to long days of hard work in cotton fields, gardens and cutting wood.

Mary left High School in the 10th grade to move to Clayton OK, to work for Mrs Clingian at the Clayton Hotel. It was there that she met the love of her life, Brent Monroe Dennis. They married on March, 10, 1950 and moved to California. While Brent tried several jobs, in Cannery, Sugar Mill, Shipping Docks, and such, they finally settled down around the Stewarts Point and Annapolis area, for him to work in the log woods, during which time Mary spent her days having and raising their first 4 children, Brenda, Marilyn, Sandra, and Mark.

But like so many who were raised in the rolling, rocky, pine covered hills in SE OK, Mary and Brent couldn't wait to "move back home". So, in 1963, they began their move back to Clayton, where their heart had always been. While Brent began by buying and selling used cars, Owning and Operating a Dump Truck business, and Logging, Mary and the children worked at operating the Laundromat that Brent built. Mary also tried her hand at being Real Estate Agent, they put in a Fabric Shop and Tag Agency, and gave birth to their last daughter Cathy Lynn.

Mary was known by her family and friends to be a talented seamstress, she worked best under pressure and could whip out a dress or outfit overnight for one of her beloved kids. She was a friend to and counseled many young women by having a sympathetic ear and a compassionate heart. Mary loved her kids, grandkids, great and even great great grandkids. When she found extra time, she loved growing flowers, shrubs, and gardening, but most especially going fishing, with or without a partner. Mary always remembered her humble roots. She didn't over think things and when life gave her lemons, which it often did, she would say "well, that's just the way things are" and then she would do her best to make lemonade for her family and friends.

Mary was proceeded in death by her loving husband of 51 years, Brent Dennis. Her beloved daughter and son-in-law: Brenda Snow and Milton Snow. Her grandson and fishing partner Daman Briggs. Her sister: Margie Hawman. Her brothers: Dale Nichols and Clarence Nichols.

Those left to cherish her memory: one sister Jewell Schmidt; daughter and son-in-law: Marilyn and Larry Lockard of Tecumseh, OK; daughter and son-in-law: Sandra and Mike Briggs of Velma, OK; son and daughter-in-law: Mark and Donna Dennis of Bedford TX; daughter and son-in-law Cathy and Brett Cogburn of Hodgen OK. Grandchildren: Brad Lockard; Shanie Lockard; Jared Snow; Miranda Snow Rice and husband Troy Rice; Andrea Wilson; Cathy Briggs; Jennifer Dennis; Talon Cogburn; River Cogburn.
Great Grandchildren: Kody Lockard; Shiane Neiman and husband Chad; Ivy Glenn; Larime Glenn; Ethan Sparks; Yancey Sparks; Michelle Powell; Charles Dees; Josiah Dees. Great Great Grandchildren: Pharra Neiman, Riahtta Neiman; Tamus Neiman; BB Neiman; Austin Hayes.

Family night will be held at Serenity Funeral Service on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 from 6-8PM. A graveside service will take place on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at AL Stephens Cemeteryat 1PM with Larry Lockard officiating.

Services have been entrusted with Serenity Funeral Service of Antlers, Oklahoma.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Ella (Nichols) Dennis, please visit our floral store.