Mary Mcclure Painter

Mary Adams McClure Painter was born on September 1, 1954 in Alva, Oklahoma to W.L. (Buddy Bill) McClure and Anna Jane Dunkley. She passed away after courageously battling cancer for 15 months. Raised in Alva, Mary was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and was a proud AHS Goldbug. As a 1972 high school graduate, she excelled in academics and involvement, particularly cheerleading. Mary continued her education at the University of Oklahoma where she studied early childhood development and was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. She then received a Master of Education from Oklahoma State University.

Throughout her life, Mary spent several years teaching in Oklahoma City and Norman Public Schools, with her longest tenure teaching transitional first grade at Lincoln Elementary School in Norman. She married Charles Edward Painter on October 17, 1986 in Jefferson, Texas and was quite proud to have been married by a female justice of the peace. In 1993 Edd and Mary were blessed by the birth of son Samuel Edward Adams Painter, followed by daughter Anna Lee Painter in 1995. Mary was totally committed to her family, whether it was her spouse, children, siblings, nieces, or nephews. She never missed a chance to be a homeroom mother for either of her children and was active in various PTA organizations. The Painter home had an open-door policy, whether it was the friends of her children (who she also considered her own kids) or the many nieces and nephews who used Mary’s house as a home away from home during their years at OU.

Mary had a dynamic personality and was actively involved in the Oklahoma and Norman communities throughout her life. She loved pageants and was a Miss Oklahoma Red Coat volunteer for six years. She never relented on her quest for a tiara after she was robbed of the 1971 Miss Alva title (which she never let us forget). She was the Alumni Advisor and Parent’s Club President for the Delta Delta Delta sorority at the University of Oklahoma over a span of two years. Mary was also a driver for Meals on Wheels for eight years and was a cornerstone member of Assistance League of Norman for both the May Fair Arts Festival and Operation School Bell.

Throughout her journey with cancer, Mary received unconditional support and love from family and friends, and her new goal in life was to support others battling cancer. In lieu of flowers and to honor her generous heart and spirit, the Painter family requests that donations be made to Tenaciously Teal, an organization that provides community, love, and empowerment to cancer fighters. Information for donations can be found at www.tteal.org. Please include Mary Painter in the memo.

Mary was preceded in death by: her parents; mother-in-law Edith Frances Painter; and niece Morgan Lee Bramlett. She is survived by: husband Edd Painter; son Sam Painter and fiancée Claire Parker of Norman; daughter Anna Lee Painter of Norman; brother Wade McClure and wife Kelly of Dallas, Texas; sisters Cyndy and husband Dr. Jim Shepherd of Enid, Oklahoma, Carol Bramlett and husband Steve of Alva, Oklahoma, and Sherra Chrimes and husband Scott of Clarksville, Arkansas; father-in-law Edd Painter; dogs Beau and Bixby; cat Lizzy; nieces and nephews Jamey, David, Ashley, Katie, Sarah, Buck, Brody, Grant, Gavin, Cara, Chloe, and John; and a host of extended family and friends.

Services to celebrate Mary’s life will be held at 2:00pm on Monday, October 1st at NorthHaven Church in Norman (4600 36th Ave NW).

Please share condolences and memories of Mary on her tribute wall so that they may be included in a book for the family.