Mary Frances Fielding was born at the Porter homestead on December 28, 1915 west of Durhcam, Oklahoma to Henry Porter, Sr. and Betty Hatley Porter. She passed away March 16, 2012 at Elk City, Oklahoma, at the age of 96 years, 2 months and 18 days.
Mary grew up in Durham and graduated from Durham High School in 1934. Upon graduation, she furthered her education at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Mary received her teaching cerificate and later obtained her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education. Mary lived briefly in Europe and Germany. Her career took her to California, Kansas, back to Durham and finally St. Joseph, Missouri, where she taught for over 20 years, retiring in the early 80’s.
After her retirement, she moved to Truth or Consequence, New Mexico and then to Cheyenne where she made her home. Mary was a member of the Cheyenne First Baptist Church and an honorary member of the GFWC-OK Cheyenne Sorosis Club. She enjoyed Sr. Citizens dances, quilting and cooking.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, James Luke Porter, one sister-in-law, Betty Porter, and one brother-in-law, Bud Lippencott.
She is survived by her son, Terry Stephen Fielding and wife, Tasi, Pago Pago, American Samona; 2 grandchildren, Crystal Ann Fielding, California and Cyrus I. Fielding; one brother, Henry Porter, Jr. and wife Lucille, Durham, Oklahoma; on sister, Pauline Lippencott, Cheyenne, Oklahoma; one sister-in-law, Edna Porter, Tulsa, Oklahoma; nieces and nephews, Steve Lippencott and wife, Debra, Scott Porter and wife, Jenni, Peggy Tierney and husband Kieran, Jan Bailey and husband, Lynn, Donna Porter and husband, Sam Horton, numerous great nieces, great nephews, and a host of other realtices and friends.
Services will be held Wednesday, March 21, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. at Cheyenne First Baptist Church officiated by Dr. Dennis Hooper. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery under the direcion of Rose Chapel Funeral Service. Condolences can be made online at www.whineryfs.com
The familoy request memorial contributions be made to Fairview Cemetery, c/o Grace Chappell, 7901 N. 1740 Rd., Durham, OK 73642 or Historic Roger Mills Preservation, P.O. Box 31, Cheyenne, Oklahoma 73628.
Cheyenne Star, Cheyenne, OK 22MAR2012