Mary Wanda (Cobb) Charlton of Howe, Oklahoma, died June 12, 2023, at the age of 80. She was born in Howe on May 10, 1943, to Dea and Opal Cobb. Mary graduated from Howe High School in 1961.
On November 22, 2002, Mary wed Tom Charlton, a friend of 50 years. For 45 years, Mary worked a variety of jobs including, production assistant at Whirlpool Corporation in Fort Smith. She retired in 2001 and spent her retirement years enjoying gardening, singing, songwriting, fishing, hunting and loving on her nieces and nephews. She and Tom loved attending gospel concerts and long drives in the mountains.
She was a member at Mt. View Baptist Church and choir direct since 1984. Mary was well-known as a talented musician and singer. She often sang at area churches.
Mary is survived by her husband, Tom, of Howe, and sisters, Doris Vaughn and Dee Anna Shadwick of Howe.
Her nieces and nephews were treated as her children. They include:
Sheilah Bright, Carla Davis, Naomi Roson, Mariah Helmandollar, Tim Nobles and wife Tara, Mike Nobles, and Stephen Helmandollar and wife Kayla.
Grandnieces and nephews include: Kendall Bright, Jeremy Bright, Christopher Nobles, Mark Nobles, Tyler Bright & wife Hannah, Kadea Nobles, Kacie Bernal
and husband Adrian, Dixie Permenter, Ethan Daily, Eli Permenter, Jaxson Nobles, Brinlee Helmandollar, Hendrix Helmandollar, Noah Hall, and Chelsea Casteel and children.
Great-grandnieces and nephews include: Charley Bright, Margo Bright, Azlynn Cannon, Alana Parks and Ava Parks.
She was also loved by her stepchildren and step-grandchildren, Sheila Brewer and husband, David, Toni Charlton, Dylan Brewer and wife Amanda, Lakota Brewer and many cherished friends, cousins and beloved church family members.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Dea and Opal Cobb, her brother David Cobb and her nephew Jeremy Bright.
Funeral service will be 3:00 p.m., Saturday, June 17, 2023 at Mt. View Baptist Church in the Glendale community with Reverend Tim Trent, Brother Larry Stacy, and Mrs. Sheilah Bright officiating. Burial follow in Mt. View Cemetery under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener, Oklahoma
Viewing will be from Noon to 6:00 p.m., Thursday and 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday.
The family will visit with friends on Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial donations be made to Gideon International for the purchase of Bibles.