Mary Elwina Mays passed away February 11, 2026, at the age of 94, just 7 weeks shy of her 95th birthday. Born on March 31, 1931, in Erick, Oklahoma, Mary was the daughter of Richard Wesley Vaughn and Ora Mae Harkins Vaughn, and the granddaughter of Albert Pike and Bessie Harkins of Stonewall, Oklahoma. She was proud of her family’s Choctaw heritage, a part of her identity that shaped her sense of community, generosity, and connection to those around her.
Mary spent more than 30 years working at Borden Dairy in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a testament to her loyalty, reliability, and the welcoming spirit that made people feel at ease the moment they met her. Whether at work or at home, she greeted everyone with kindness and made space for others in a way that left a lasting impression.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert C. Mays, and her parents.
Mary is survived by her three children — Karen Moore, James Crace, and Mary Bebee — as well as her grandchildren: Jeremy Moore; Jason and Nadine Moore; Brad and Wendy Crace; Bryan and Tera Crace; April and Greg Starr; and Mary and David Walling. She also leaves behind 11 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren, each of whom she loved deeply and proudly.
Her legacy lives on in the family she nurtured, the kindness she showed, and the countless small moments of love that defined her life.
Obituary provided by Mobley-Groesbeck Funeral Service.