Mary Louise Harp

Born April 27, 1933, in Cleveland, Okla., she lived at home with her mother and father until 11th grade, when she met and fell in love with Ray Love. After marrying Ray, she moved to Savannah, Ga., after he was stationed there during his service in the military. Eventually he was deployed to Korea, and Mary went to live with her inlaws in Byars, Okla. This is where she realized her true passion for gardening, cooking, and how to make a wonderful home for her family. After Ray returned from Korea and left the service, they began their life in Stillwater, Okla. This was just one step in their journey as they also lived in other Oklahoma towns including Pauls Valley, Chickasha, and finally, Oklahoma City. They bought a home on the south side of town, and raised four children, Cheryl, Tommy, Gary and Tama. As a loving and devoted mother, Mary decided her heart was big enough to own an in-home daycare. She knew she could take care of other parents’ children so they could go to work knowing their kids were safe and sound. She cherished the memories and relationships created from her daycare days, and she kept in touch with many of the families, lovingly watching the children grow up into adults. Her affection for gardening was evident to all who knew her. She adored flowers, and cultivated beautiful blossoms from the large garden at her home. Her love for flowers lasted her entire life, and working in the garden gave her so much peace and happiness. In 1984, her husband Ray passed away from a battle with cancer. To help ease her grief, she joined a group called “Parents Without Partners” and met many dear friends. Eventually she met Charlie Harp. They decided to get married, and Mary sold her home in south Oklahoma City and moved to Yukon, Okla. Mary was a Godly woman and before she met Charlie, she attended Crossroads Baptist Church. Eventually, Mary and Charlie began attending South Lindsey Baptist Church, before ultimately becoming faithful members at Yukon Bible Church. She was very active in all her church homes, and was a beloved Sunday School teacher for children and adults. She also worked in the church nursery, and while at Crossroads Baptist Church, she taught Vacation Bible School, something she dearly loved to do. If you knew Mary, you knew she was an extremely skilled and talented cook. She was legendary for her delicious Sunday family meals after church. Her daughters said she cooked a “mean pot roast,” and was famous for her bread making. They fondly remember the delicious aromas of baking bread that filled their childhood home. She was also an incredibly gifted seamstress and quilter.

She created numerous beautiful quilts, each one unique and handcrafted from her heart. But most of all, her family was what she considered her biggest and best accomplishment.

Mary leaves behind a cherished legacy of love, and she was so proud of all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her daughter Cheryl Davis; son Gary Love and his wife Denise; daughter Tama Gannaway and her husband Mike; grandchildren Mason Davis, Amber Kohout, Kevin Gannaway, Lindsey Owens, Emily Smith, Justin Gannaway, Noah Gannaway and Matthew Love; great-grandchildren Cameron Gannaway, Melody Anderson, Silas Owens, Callie Gannaway, Peyton Kohout, Zoë Davis, Katley Owens, Kymber Gannaway, Avery Kohout, Jackson Gannaway, Lyric Gannaway and Haven Gannaway. She has been reunited in heaven with her parents, husband Ray Love, second husband Charlie Harp, son Tommy Love, and her siblings Sally Sissons, Betty Drake, Billy Drake, Jack Drake and John Drake.

The family invites all those who knew and loved Mary to join them for her memorial service at Yukon Bible Church, 11715 NW 10th Street in Yukon, on March 31 at 11 a.m. They would love for everyone to bring and show the quilts she made if you are blessed to have one. Flowers may be sent to 1723 Monroe NE, Piedmont, Okla., 73178. The family will make arrangements to get them to the church for her service.