In Memory of Mary Ernestine Brown

Mary Ernestine Stapleton Brown, the first-born child of John and Louise Stapleton, was born on September 13, 1941, in Yuma, Arizona, just three months before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Two years later, when her father was drafted into the Navy, she moved with her mother to her grandparents’ farm near Jarrell, Texas. Even as a toddler, Mary’s spirited personality shone through—at just two years old, she caught and tried to pluck a live chicken so her grandmother would cook fried chicken.

After the war, Mary moved with her family to Barlow, Kentucky, where she attended first grade. She often followed her father to the mines where he worked, playing nearby in the tailings. After the birth of her sister, LaVerne, the family returned to Yuma, Arizona, where Mary lived until the age of fifteen. During those years, her family enjoyed camping and prospecting, creating memories she carried throughout her life.

Mary met David Luther Brown while visiting relatives, and at the age of fifteen, the two eloped and were married in Las Vegas, Nevada. They made their home in Plainview, Texas, where they were blessed with five children, one of whom passed in infancy. In 1969, the family moved to a farm near Red Oak, Oklahoma, where they welcomed three more children.

Mary was a devoted homemaker who poured her love into caring for her family. She prepared large meals, sewed clothing for her children, and created a warm and welcoming home. The family attended Cedars Church of Christ and later Red Oak Assembly of God, where Mary was known for helping make peanut brittle for the church’s Fall Festival.

Mary had many talents and interests. She loved cooking, embroidery, sewing, and painting. A woman of strong faith, she spent time reading and studying her Bible. She also enjoyed flowers, learning about edible and medicinal wild plants, working puzzles, and completing word searches.

After the passing of her husband at the age of sixty-four, Mary showed her strength and independence by obtaining her driver’s license at sixty-five. She briefly worked at a restaurant in Wilburton, Oklahoma, and later at the Red Oak Library. In 2012, she moved to Shawnee, Oklahoma, to be closer to her youngest daughter who had twins. While there, she attended Temple Baptist Church and was active in the senior adult program. In 2020, she moved to Seminole, Oklahoma, where she attended First Baptist Church of Seminole.

Mary deeply loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was especially excited about becoming a great-great-grandmother. One of her final wishes was to speak with each of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren before departing this life on March 24, 2026.

She is survived by her children, Laura Blakemore of Osawatomie, KS; Marcella and Tommy Williams of Fanshawe, OK; John and Joyce Brown of Sallisaw, OK; Anna Wyatt of Norman, OK; David Brown Jr. of Red Oak, OK; and Alice and Cheyenne Allison of Seminole, OK; her sister, Flora LaVerne Goodwin of Phoenix, AZ; 13 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren with one on the way, and 3 great-great-grandchildren with one on the way; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, David Brown; her parents, John and Louise Stapleton; her sisters, Janie Bell and Lacy Nell Stapleton; her daughters, Leona Brown and LaVerne Brown; and her grandchildren, Melissa Celia and Mike Hoel.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 30, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Waldrop Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Rev. Don Stelzer. Burial will follow at Cedars Cemetery in Red Oak, Oklahoma. Pallbearers will be Tommy Williams, Cheyenne Allison, David Williams, Matthew Williams, James Williams, and Jesse Wyatt. Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 29, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Waldrop Funeral Home in Wilburton, Oklahoma.