Mary Ruth Graham

Mary Ruth Graham, Walters, OK

Mary Ruth Graham, resident of Walters, OK, passed away February 19, 2018 at Wichita Falls, TX at the age of 88.

She was born on January 8, 1930 at Burkburnett, TX, to Frank and Jewell Clement. She graduated from Burkburnett High School and upon graduation, at the age of 16, attended Abilene Christian University. She returned to Wichita Falls, TX and worked at City National Bank as a Commercial Teller where she met Elmer Graham, Sr. They were married at Dallas, TX in 1978 and made their home in Walters, OK. She served on the Board of Directors of the Walters Bank and Trust Company for 35 years. The success of the bank and the bank remaining solid and stable for its customers continued to be important to her; therefore, she continued as a director after Elmer’s death. Elmer did not doubt her loyalty, courage, toughness and intelligence. She was instrumental in donating 1 million dollars to the City of Walters plus numerous donations to the Walters Cemetery for fencing and gateways. She grew up in the Church of Christ and attended the Church of Christ in Walters.

She traveled to many exciting and interesting places with Elmer including Switzerland, Alaska, Hawaii and a train journey on the Orient Express. She was passionate about reading and experienced reading as a great pleasure. One thing many people did not know, she was a huge Thunder Basketball Fan. She was an elegant lady that was always dressed meticulously and surprised many when the first t-shirt she ever wore was a Thunder Basketball t-shirt.

She is survived by one son, Elmer Roger Graham, Jr. of Randlett, OK; a daughter, Carolyn McComber of Belleair, FL; grandchildren, Leslie Graham Staudinger and husband Balazs of Orlando, FL, Roger Graham and wife Heather of Austin, TX, Lacey Overby and husband Chuck of Burkburnett, TX, Greg McComber and wife Brandi of Walters, OK, Robyn Risenhoover of Ft. Worth, TX, Stacy McDonald and husband Chris of Tampa, FL; 11 great grandchildren; nephews, Jimmy Graham of Geronimo, OK, Randy Clement of Burkburnett, TX, David Clement and Robert Clement both of Wichita Falls, TX; a niece, Candi Clement of Houston, TX; many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her spouse, Elmer Rogers Graham, Sr.; daughter, Marilyn Risenhoover; brothers, Robert Gordon Clement and William Howard Clement.

Visitation will be held at Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home, Walters, OK, on Friday, February 23, 2018 from 6:00-8:00 p.m., and Graveside Rites will be held at the Walters Cemetery on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Walters Cemetery Association, Box 485, Walters, OK 73572.

The family would like to thank the staff of The House of Hope in Wichita Falls, TX for their excellent care of Mary Ruth.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” by Maya Angelou