Mary Hackett
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May 16, 1916 - February 25, 2007 Burial Date: January 1, 1970 |
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Mary Milam Stevenson Hackett, the daughter of Jesse Bartley and Elizabeth Peach (McSpadden) Milam, was born May 16, 1916 in Chelsea, Oklahoma. She graduated from Chelsea High School and attended Ward Belmont College, in Nashville, Tennessee, before transferring to the University of Oklahoma, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree with a Major in English and a Minor in French. She was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority, and kept in close contact with Sisters after graduation.
On November 5, 1938 Mary was united in marriage to George Joseph Stevenson II in Chelsea, Oklahoma. They made their home in Bartlesville and Tulsa, Oklahoma, and, while Joe served his country as a Naval Flight Instructor during WW II, in several other cities. For a short time after the war they lived in Houston, Texas before moving to Tarkio, Missouri in 1946. Joe passed away in 1962. On March 22, 1970, Mary was united in marriage to Ralph C. Hackett of Fairfax, Missouri. They made their home in Tarkio where they lived to the present time.
Mary was a homemaker who was very active in her church and community, serving as a Cub Scout Den Mother, President of the Mule Barn Theater Guild, an elder and Sunday School teacher in the Tarkio Presbyterian Church, and a volunteer in the Auxiliary for the Community Hospital in Fairfax. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Daughters of the American Colonists, and many other organizations. For more than 50 years, she was an active member of PEO and hosted many annual Chapter FF Fashion Shows and Luncheons in her home. Mary was a beautiful woman who loved helping people.
After the untimely death of Joe, Mary became more active in the family banking and farming businesses. She served as Chairman of the Board for the Farmers and Valley Bank in Tarkio and as a member of the Board of Directors for Tarkio College.
Mary’s sense of adventure and curiosity led her to every state in the union and many countries throughout the world. She traveled extensively with Joe and their children and later with her sister-in-law Mary and with Ralph, who had retired early so they could spend more time together. She loved to talk to people where-ever she found them.
Mary enjoyed sports. While at O.U., she lettered with the Rifle Team, once placing second in the collegiate women’s division at a major tournament by shooting 99 out of 100! She learned to ride at a young age and enjoyed horses her entire life. She played tennis and often joined Joe in doubles tournaments. Mary loved swimming, water skiing and boating. She was instrumental in the creation of the Tarkio Swimming Pool. After the pool was constructed, she became a Red Cross certified Water Safety Instructor and taught swimming for over 30 years to hundreds of people. She delighted in meeting former students.
Music was central to Mary’s life. She learned to play the piano in high school, and later became an organist. She had a lovely soprano voice and sang in the opera Carmen and was a member of the Women’s Choral Club in college. Mary was a long-time member of the Presbyterian Church Choir, and occasionally played the church organ. She often played for friends and family in her home.
Mary’s father was the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation and led it through several negotiations with the US government. She was proud of her Cherokee heritage, was a member of the Cherokee First Families at the Cherokee Historical Society. She often spoke on Native American issues to local community and school groups, and always kept close ties to her Oklahoma family.
Mary passed away Sunday, February 25, 2007 at home in Tarkio, Missouri in her 90th year with her family in attendance.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Stuart, sister Mildred, first husband, Joe and grandson David Gelvin Stevenson.
Survivors include her husband Ralph of the home in Tarkio, four children, George Joseph Stevenson III, Gelvin Lee Stevenson, Mark Milam Stevenson and Elizabeth Stevenson Harbin, three step-children, L. Scott Hackett, Carol Hackett Stewart and Julie Hackett Glover, 34 grandchildren and great grandchildren and step grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at Tarkio Presbyterian Church, Tarkio. | |