Mary Anne Kirkland

Mary Anne Kirkland, 79, passed away on July 13, 2017, in Norman, OK. She was born Oct 20, 1937 in Houlka, MS, to Fred and Grace Roye. Her family moved to Wilburton, Oklahoma in 1950, where Mary Anne graduated from Wilburton High School in 1955. She attended East Central University and was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority. She married Larry H. Kirkland in 1959, and they raised sons Derek and John in Ada, Oklahoma City and Okmulgee. Larry and Mary Anne moved to Norman in 1988 to live in the heart of Sooner nation.

Mary Anne had a long and successful career as an administrative assistant for Ada, Okmulgee and Moore school districts, retiring after 25 years. She then went to work for the City of Norman for 20 years and retired again in June 2016.

Mary Anne was an avid OU fan, and anyone who knew her was clearly aware of her loyalty and love of the University of Oklahoma Sooners. She spent many years involved with the OU men’s basketball program's booster club, serving as Tip-In Club President on several occasions, and she was a longtime season ticket holder for both Sooner basketball and football. Although she loved the Sooners, nothing was a bigger priority for her than her family. She never missed a family event, including all of the grandchildren's activities - dance recitals, Orchestra concerts and ball games - and never missed a Roye family reunion or holiday gathering. She was a constant in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and nothing made her happier than being "Meemaw" to those children, as well as children outside the immediate family who only knew her by that name; she was Meemaw to so many and that was perfectly fine with her. She could be counted on for a shoulder to cry on, a silent ear to vent to and a comforting voice for a heavy heart. There were no bounds for her love.

Mary Anne is preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Grace Roye, her husband of 32 years, Larry Kirkland, her in-laws, D.D. and Bondy Kirkland, nephew Kevin McCasland and great- nephew J M White. She is survived by her sons Derek Kirkland and wife Debbie of Oklahoma City; John Kirkland and wife Amy of Edmond; grandchildren Johnna Doyle and husband Josh of Edmond, Kylie Kirkland of Oklahoma City, Jackson Kirkland of Edmond; great-grandchildren Cooper Stephens and Jurnee Doyle; sisters Sue McCasland and husband Stan of Wilburton; Sallye Shaw and husband Freddie of Fort Worth; brother Ross Roye and wife Sue of Stilwell, along with many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Mary Anne's life will be held July 29 at 2pm, Primrose Funeral Service in Norman, OK.

In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to the OU Foundation: Tip-In Club Men’s Basketball, 2900 S. Jenkins, Norman, OK 73019.