Mary Grace Parrish

Mary Benke Parrish, 58, of Walters, OK Funeral Services at First Baptist Church, Walters, Saturday, November 8 at 2:00 p.m., Rev. Paul Metcalfe officiating under the direction of Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home in Walters. Mary Grace (Benke) Parrish was born to Carl Theodore and Lahoma Elizabeth (Bertram) Benke on February 15, 1956 in Lawton, OK and departed this life in Oklahoma City, OK on October 29, 2014 at the age of 58 years, 8 months and 14 days. Mary was born the 11th child, 10th person in the house at the time, but never ever thought she might not have been wanted! She attended John Kennedy Elementary (St.Mary's) Catholic School in Lawton, and transferred to Geronimo School in the 6th grade. Graduated Valedictorian of the 1974 senior class, and was active in 4-H, receiving many county honors and trips. She then attended Cameron University from 1974-78, receiving a BS in Home Economics Education with a minor in Chemistry. She graduated with honors and was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi honor society. She Began working at age 5 when she cleaned the dairy barn , milked cows and sold milk at the family dairy south of Lawton, then at 9 years of age the family gas station was built and she worked there until graduating from college. Mary then worked as the Cotton County Extension Home Economist from 1978-84. She was named Rookie Home Economist of the year in 1980 and Outstanding Business Woman of America. She married Maxwell Hayes Parrish, Jr. on February 14, 1981 at Lawton. Upon the birth of the first child she became a stay at home mom until 1993, when she taught Home Economics at Temple Public School for 2 years. Then from 2000 to 2014 Mary taught Biology at Comanche High School and also organized 22 blood drives for the school. She was a Christian, attending Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church as a youth, and as an adult she attended several churches in Walters, presently the Walters Nazarene Church. God was foremost in her life. She played the guitar and sang in the choirs and praise teams. She enjoyed playing the guitar, sewing, going to garage sales and keeping her grandchildren. She is survived by her husband Max Jr. of the home; 3 children, Crystal Lynne Keys, husband, Jay of Indiahoma, Lindsey Heather Rainey, husband, Lance of Lawton and son, Carlton Bradley Parrish of Walters; granddaughters, Paisley and Lyla Keys; her siblings, Dorothy Hennessy, El Paso, TX, Doris Renschen, Geronimo, Geraldine Burk, Faxon, Carlene Inzer, Memphis, TN, Charles Benke, Lawton, Gloria Gueydan, Jonesboro, LA, Angie Morris, Walters, Alice Cook, Geronimo; 40 nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; and 2 siblings, Donna Birkenfeld and Larry Benke.