Mary C. Martin-Lee

On September 5th, 2023, Mary Martin-Lee passed away peacefully in the presence of family following a brief illness at Ascension Seton Hospital, in Round Rock, TX. She was 82 years old.

Mary was born July 28th, 1941 in Terre Haute, Indiana, the youngest of four children born at home to Holton Lee Ragland and Clara Henrietta Stiedel Ragland. Following the death of her mother, when Mary was just eight years old, she was raised by her father Holton, and her Aunt Florence Steidel.

Mary attended both public and parochial school in Terre Haute, graduating from Gerstmeyer Technical High School in 1959 where she was a majorette with the marching band.

After high school, having always known that she wanted to be a nurse, Mary enrolled in St. Anthony Hospital School of Nursing and, as part of her studies, also attended Indiana State University. She graduated from nursing school in 1962 and married Jerry Martin later that same year. She loved her work no matter where it took her, obtaining licensure in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Oklahoma.

Mary and Jerry Martin had three children together and moved their family to Norman, Oklahoma in 1974. Mary worked at Norman Regional Hospital while raising her children. She loved being a mom and helped as often as she could with school parties and events. As Mary’s children progressed through school, she was proud to support their endeavors and attended countless band and choir performances, ball games, and track meets.

Mary loved her work as a nurse and retired in 2006 after 32 years of work with Norman Regional Hospital but continued living a life of service. Mary enjoyed volunteering around Norman and especially enjoyed her work with Eisenhower Elementary School, which her children had attended years before. She had special feelings for the school and would help in the library, proctoring exams, and helping the counselors provide resources for students.

In 2007 she married Robert Lee and the two enjoyed retirement together. Mary and Bob loved to travel, visiting family and friends around the country and traveling abroad. Mary also loved traveling to help her children with their families. Known as Grammie, Gran, Grandma Mary, and Nana, her grandchildren were a joy to her, and becoming a grandmother again at age 73 was such a blessing for her as she remembers her grandparents being in their 70s when she was born. Mary was a member of University Lutheran Church in Norman, OK.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 15 years, Robert Lee, her parents Holton and Clara and brothers Robert and John Ragland, and her Aunt Florence Steidel who was so wonderful to her.

She is survived by her children, Kathleen and husband Eric Cole of Encinitas, CA, Lori and husband Kenny Kinzer of Bristow, OK, Michael and wife Alison Martin of Round Rock, TX, Stepsons Robert Lee III and wife Stephanie Ramos of Ft. Worth, TX and Jonathan Lee and wife Natalie Ledbetter of New York City, NY.

Grandchildren Regan Cole, Jarred Cole, Gage Kinzer, Jace Kinzer, Caroline Lee, Isabel Lee Matthew Martin, and Elliot Mary Martin.

She is also survived by her sister Clara Burchfield, of Terre Haute, IN, nephews Walter Burchfield of Terre Haute, IN and Bradley Secrest of Bloomfield, IN, nieces Deborah Harris Kearschner of Terre Haute, IN, and Brenda Baldwin Padilla of Gentry, AK.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 am, Friday, September 29, 2023 at University Lutheran Church, 914 Elm Ave, Norman, OK. Online condolences may be shared at www.tribute.care

Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Terre Haute, Indiana.

In place of flowers, please consider donating in Mary’s name to a cause close to her heart:

Bridges of Norman, an organization dedicated to empowering students who live alone to succeed. Located at 1607 Stubbeman, Norman, OK, or online at bridgesnorman.org.

Red Dirt Boxer Rescue, dedicated to rescuing and rehoming boxer breed dogs throughout Oklahoma. info@reddirtboxerrescue.com or contact (405) 445-4029