Mary Levena Elrod

Mary Levena (Birch) Elrod was born on September 30, 1944 in Anadarko, Oklahoma to Arch and Mildred Birch. She passed peacefully at the age of 78, at her home in Gracemont, Oklahoma, on Friday, February 17th, 2023 surrounded by her family and friends. Mary was raised in the Verden area until 1955 when she and her family moved to Gracemont. She attended Gracemont Schools from the 5th grade on and graduated high school in 1962. Mary worked at the Gracemont Post Office for a period of time after graduating high school. She also drove a bus route for the school. She married the love of her life, Johnnie Marvin Elrod, on April 23rd, 1974. After marrying, Mary became the best step-mother one could ask for. Mary served as dispatch for the Anadarko Police department for a brief period in 1975. She and Johnnie then moved to the Oklahoma City area for approximately 5 years and later returned to the Gracemont area. Mary and Johnnie owned and operated a cleaning service and an upholstery service for several years. In 1985, Mary again returned to the police department as a dispatcher. She was later promoted to Police Officer, then Detective. She devoutly served the Anadarko Police Department for 24 years where she retired on September 30, 2009 as Lieutenant Detective. During her time on the police force, Mary took several criminal justice courses at both Redlands community college and Cameron University and also served as a CLEET instructor for a period of time at Caddo Kiowa Technology center. After retirement, Mary joined efforts with her family to open The Family Diner in Gracemont where she mainly enjoyed the opportunity to visit with those that came into the restaurant. After selling the restaurant to her niece and nephew, Mary again served as a bus driver for the Gracemont school system for a few years. She greatly enjoyed talking with the children as she brought them home from school. Farming was also a pastime that she enjoyed. Mary was a devout woman of God. She was saved at the young age of 9 years old and was filled with the Holy Ghost around 1975. She had long been a member of the Gracemont Assembly of God Church where she taught the Adult Sunday School class for many, many years. If you were ever in need of prayer or had a question about something in the Bible, Mary was your lady. If she didn't know, she was just as determined to help you find the answer. She loved God. She loved to talk about God and the Bible, and most definitely loved some good Gospel music. She was always making sure to take her friends and family to church. From siblings all the way down to her great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She has prayed many of prayers for lost family and friends. Even in her last days, she was still greatly concerned with the salvation of those she loved. She is remembered as such a Godly woman that a friend recently joked that she was likely to have been praying at the same time that she was arresting someone. Best known as "Auntie" to many family and friends, Mary was a great confidant, friend and a social butterfly. She never met a stranger or at least didn't admit it until the person was gone. She loved to visit and reminisce. She was a very generous woman whom was always ready to help and had a hard time telling anyone no. She was patient and kind. She greatly enjoyed babysitting for family, crafting, traveling, playing moon and dominoes, and attending Gospel and bluegrass singings. Auntie was greatly loved by all who knew her. Mary is survived by her brothers Travis (Dale) Birch of Anadarko and Leldon Birch of Gracemont; her step-children: Linda Setzer of Hydro, Julie Elrod of Binger, Rick and Rhonda Elrod of Lookeba, Sandra and John Beach of Binger, John and Shelly Elrod of Hennessey; many grand, great and great-great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews and numerous friends whom will miss her dearly. She is preceded in death by her parents, Arch and Mildred (Brownen) Birch; her husband, Johnnie Elrod; brother, Archie Birch; sisters-in-law: Evelyn (Jane) Birch, Alo (Elrod) Hamilton, Viona (Elrod) McDaniel, Dorothy (Elrod) Garrett; stepson, Randy Elrod-Hix; son-in-law, Boyd Hendricks; and numerous other beloved family members and friends; all of whom she likely rejoiced greatly in meeting upon her arrival in Heaven. The memorial service for Auntie Mary will be held on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 1:00 pm at Smith Funeral Home Chapel located at 301 West Oklahoma Avenue, Anadarko, Oklahoma. Burial to follow at the Gracemont Cemetery. Visitation hours Monday and Tuesday at Smith Funeral Home is from 9am - 8pm .Funeral Services under the direction of Smith Funeral Home, Anadarko, OKMessages of condolences may be sent to the family at www.smithfuneralservices.com

Mary Levena Elrod

September 30, 1944 - February 17, 2023

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