Mary Anna Slack, 96, was born on a snowy February day in 1929, to Jim and Mary Bennett. She grew up in several towns, courtesy of her daddy being an oil field worker. She attended Murray State College for two years, then completed her education at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. It was there that she met a tall, handsome, intelligent, and witty man named Harold.
Harold and Mary were married and had two girls, Karen and Kay. Harold and Mary were both school educators, with Mary receiving her Master’s in Teaching and Harold receiving his Doctorate. Both held various positions and enriched many lives through these careers of service. Mary eventually taught every grade level from first grade through high school. Later, she and Harold moved from K-12 to higher education, working at Murray State College in Tishomingo. A lifelong learner, Mary pursued her Masters of Librarianship. She dedicated the rest of her working career to building educational repositories, providing access to research, and telling/reading of stories.
When not working, Mary could be found in her gardens, both vegetable and flower, at worship services, helping others in various situations, reading, using her beautiful voice to sing for many weddings and funerals and at any event in which her children were participating. She attended the Madill Church of Christ. Mary was an exemplary mother, and gave birthday parties that are still remembered by her children’s friends.
She welcomed people into her home and took care of those not in it, providing food when needed and transporting friends to doctor appointments well into her 80’s. After retirement, Mary taught herself piano – a skill she had wanted to learn since childhood – and became an accomplished player. She travelled with friends to various places, near and far, and energetically embraced and excelled in her role as “Granmama.” Mary was a valueadding type of person and left this world a better place for her being in it.
Her love of the Lord, vibrant personality, passion for learning, intelligence, love for others, singing and perpetual smile enriched the lives of her family, friends, students and community.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents Jim and Mary Bennett; brother J.W. Bennett and wife Billi;, husband Harold; and daughter Karen Bennett.
She is survived by daughter, Kay and husband Jim Dalton; seven grandchildren, Leah Alexander, Bret Bennett and wife Brittney, Grant Bennett and wife Lacey, Jim Dalton and fiancée Nicole Thomason, Luke Dalton and wife Meagan, Matthew Dalton and fiancée Jessica Cundiff, Kyle Dalton and wife Aurora; four great grandchildren, Bella, Blair, Brooks, London; and one step-great granddaughter, Baylee.
Funeral service will be Monday, June 30, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Watts Memorial Chapel in Madill, Okla. Interment will be at the Oakland Cemetery in Oakland, Okla. Services will be under the direction of Watts Funeral Home in Madill, Okla. Condolences may be sent to wattsfuneralhome.com.