Mary Ouita Samuel, 98 and a longtime resident of Durant, Okla., passed away at her home on Friday, May 26, 2023. Ouita was born at the family home on September 29, 1924, in Kinlock, Marshall County, Okla. She was the only child of James Audrey and Iva Irene Underhill, who preceded her in death.
Ouita grew up in Marshall County, where she graduated from Madill High School in 1942. She went on to further her educationatSoutheasternStateTeachers College, what is now known as Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She needed only a few hours to graduate when she met the love of her life, Dean Samuel, 43 days after he returned from WWII. They were married on December 17, 1947, and celebrated 66 years together before Dean, age 91, preceded her in death in 2014.
She took care of the family home and raised their three children, James Dean, Richard Kent, and Janet Kay. She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Durant. Ouita and Dean enjoyed traveling in their younger years. She loved flowers of all kinds, bird watching, OU football, coloring and completing word searches.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Dean Samuel; son, Jim Samuel and many dear friends and family.
Those left to cherish Ouita’s (“Grandma”) memories are her son, Richard Kent Samuel and wife Sue of The Woodlands, Texas;daughter,JanetKayStaffordofMadill,Okla.; daughter-in-law Amber Samuel Burton; grandchildren, Adrienne Bozorgpor and husband, Ray of Plano, Texas; Ryan Samuel and wife, Christy of Wylie, Texas; Kendle Samuel of The Woodlands, Texas; Kyle Stafford and wife, KimofMiami,Okla.; LindseyGroomsandhusband,Arron of Lindsay, Okla.; Olivia Abrahamson and husband, Klynt of Madill, Okla.; great grandchildren Nick Tschoepe and wife, Marina of Noble, Okla.; Vivienne Bozorgpor of Plano, Texas; Carson Samuel and Riley Samuel, of Wylie, Texas; Miranda Matlock and husband, Taylor of Bennington, Okla.; Emma Stafford of Miami, Okla.; Lyla Grooms and Elsie Grooms of Lindsay, Okla.; Parker Abrahamson of Madill, Okla.; and great-great grandchild, Adeline Faye Matlock of Bennington, Okla..
Family and friend’s hour to celebrate Ouita’s life was from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 30 at the First Baptist Church in Durant, Okla. (Beech Street entrance). Graveside services were held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 31 at Willis Cemetery in Willis, Okla. James M. Robinson officiated the service. Service were under the direction of Watts Funeral Home in Madill, Okla. Condolences may be sent to wattsfuneralhome.com.