Mary Jo Hare

Mary Jo Sellers-Hare was born on July 25th, 1937 in Welling, OK, the daughter of Percy “Red” M. and Mary Louise (Groundhog) Sellers. She grew up the eldest of five brothers and one sister, Percy "Bull", Andrew “Andy”, John R.“JR”, Jerry Wayne and Vernon “Dickie” Sellers and Betty Sellers. These children grew up to become a celebrated gospel group in the area called the “Sellers Family”. She attended Welling school and later graduated from Tahlequah High School. Jerry's sister, Ardith, set up the first date since Jerry was too bashful to ask her out. This began a lifelong loving relationship. It was love at first sight for Mary Jo and the feeling was mutual for Jerry. In 1956, they were united in holy matrimony at the Boy Scout Camp in Welling. They enjoyed 68 years of marriage and memories and raised their family of one son and three daughters, Pamela “Pam”, Anthony, Rhonda, and LaDonna. Mary Jo attended college and received her certificate for Medical Records. Mary Jo and Jerry were Co-Owners of “Sooner TV and Electronics”. Later they opened another business, Bird-Link Systems, LLC, of Tahlequah. Life never slowed down and Mary Jo kept up the pace of raising a family, working with Jerry, and attending the Welling Baptist Church, the Freewill Baptist Church and Briggs Baptist Church. She maintained an open door policy with her children’s friends, and even if you just stopped by to say hello or arrived hungry, you were about to be fed. She was talented in the kitchen and made the best biscuits and gravy, chicken and dressing, pies, and Jerry's favorite, Fruit Cocktail cake. She loved working in her flower beds, vegetable garden and canning what she raised. She was the most dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt you ever met. Her family was first and foremost, and you were never turned away from her door. There was nothing like an afternoon of antiquing or a little shopping to pass the day away. After the passing of the late Mary Sellers (her Mother), Mary Jo stepped into her role as a chapel committee member to see the completion of the Sequoyah High School Chapel which provided a permanent place of worship on the SHS campus for students. She adored every child, grandchild and great grandchild that blessed her home, and she never wanted to let go of them, no matter how old they became. She loved good ole gospel music, loved singing with her family, and most important of all, she served the Lord all the days of her life. She praised him in songs, and in services. She was raised in a family that loved the Lord and could sing His praises. The family grew and Mary Jo and Jerry built a cattle ranch that they named “Crystal Creek Ranch” since the crystal clear spring water flowed in the middle of the ranch property. Mary Jo’s health began to decline and the Lord called this kind and wonderful wife, mother and grandmother home on Monday, December 16th 2024, in her home surrounded by the family and listening to Alan Jackson's Gospel CD. Mary Jo was 87 years old and will be greatly missed. She will be truly missed by Jerry and her entire family and will forever be in our hearts. The Lord blessed this marriage that never ended. She's not gone because her memory will always keep her alive.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband of 68 years, Jerry Hare of the home in Eldon Valley and her children, Anthony Hare of Eldon Valley, Rhonda Calhoun and Jerry of Inola, LaDonna Girdner of Eldon Valley. She leaves her grandchildren, Erica Miller and husband Matt of Inola, Christopher “Chris” Blair, Alexis Ramirez and Alberto, of Tahlequah. Jordon Hare, Adrianna Girdner, Ashely Girdner, Jarred Hare, of Tahlequah and CJ Blair of Muskogee. She also leaves John R. “JR” Sellers and wife Pam, Betty Sellers, Vernon “Dickie” Sellers and wife Glenda of Tahlequah. There are five great grandchildren, Annalise Ramirez, Alina Ramirez, Parker Allen Blair, Pamela Blair and Baby Boy Miller soon to join the family.

Funeral services for Mary Jo Sellers-Hare will be conducted on Friday, December 20th, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Reed-Culver Funeral Home with Reverend DJ McCarter officiating. She will be laid to rest with her family at Tahlequah City.

Those serving as pallbearers include Anthony Hare, Jordon Hare, Jarred Hare, Jerry Calhoun, Chris Blair, and CJ Blair. Her honorary pallbearers include Matt Miller, Trae Ratliff, Will Craig, Bill Cochran, Grant Craig, and Brent Colvard.