Mary Kerns

Mary Lou McGaha Kerns, resident of Ponca City, passed away Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at the Ponca City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was 73 years of age.

Mary Lou was born January 24, 1938 in Ponca City, the daughter of R.H. McGaha and Florence Smith McGaha. She was a 1956 graduate of Ponca City High School. She completed the Ponca City VoTech nursing program and was named the top student of her class. She had worked 30 years at the Highland Nursing Home as a LPN.

She was a member of Ranch Drive Baptist Church. Her enjoyments were providing for her family, teaching and helping her grandchildren, and cooking. She was affectionately known by her family as MeMa.

She is survived by her son, Jim McGaha and wife, Jill, of Kildare one sister, Helen Warren and husband, Vaughn, of Ponca City 4 grandchildren, Michelle McGaha Hill of Turlock, California, J.D. McGaha and wife, Angie, of Ochelata, Oklahoma, Liz Dewell Mitchell and husband, Mike, of Pawnee, Oklahoma and Mike Dewell and wife, Theresa, of Ponca City nine great grandchildren numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and other extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents one brother, Ray McGaha two sisters, Arlene Trueblood and infant sister, Loweta.

A graveside committal service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, January 12, 2012 at the Riverside Cemetery Southwest of Tonkawa. Ranch Drive Baptist Church Pastor, Jerry Graber, will preside. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601.