Willa Mae Marks

Willa Mae Marks

1929-2019

Willa Mae Larkin Marks had a young girl’s sparkle that did not fade. She baked blackberry cobblers that made church deacons jostle each other in the church supper line. She was honest: on the day of her 50^th wedding anniversary she said, “We’ve had many wonderful years and some bad weeks.” Her husband worked diligently to earn a PhD. She cooked, cleaned, took care of babies, and typed the dissertation – all while holding down a job. She was an educator for the Edmond school system and continued teaching English as a second language even after she retired. She welcomed students and their families from around the world into her home, treated them like family, and they became part of the family.

Willa Mae was loved by many names such as Mom, Mae, Butch, Grandmommy, and Nai-Nai. As a child she loved to fish, play basketball, or do anything outside with her dad. As an adult she loved garage sales, gardening, playing the piano, and cooking big family meals. She put others before herself, and served with compassion in family, church, work, and community.

Born on September 9, 1929; left this world on May 12, 2019. Preceded in death by her infant daughter Anne, father Len Larkin, mother One Mae Anderson Larkin, one great-granddaughter and her husband of 67 years, Whit. Survived by daughter Martha Lynne Dixon(Brand), son Randy Marks (Sharon Astrin), daughter Marian Lee Payne(Ronnie) and son Jonathan Marks (Shana Marks), 12 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren(plus one on the way), three incomparable and much loved sisters: Paula Dykstra(Tom), Lee Hopson(Mike Maloney) and Lyn Holmes(Lee), innumerable nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Our grief is immeasurable, but we know that she is happy to be reunited with Whit, Anne, her parents, Jesus, and the Angels.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, June 2^nd at 2:00 p.m. at The WingsOK Event Center, 13700 N. Eastern Avenue, Edmond, OK 73013.