Mary Jane (White) Coulson was welcomed into her family by parents Lewis and Vivian (Moss) White on March 17, 1950.  She departed this life on January 3, 2025, at the age of 74 years.

Mary grew up on the family farm east of Vici with her older brother Charles and younger sister Nita. During these formative years, Mary learned to be a homemaker, often choosing to be inside with her mother, gleaning life lessons she would then pass on to her children. Mary learned to make chicken-fried steak, homemade noodles, mashed potatoes and pies that were exceptional.  Mary lost her brother when she was 14 years old, an event that dramatically changed her family's life. This loss forged a strong bond with her sister Nita making them lifelong friends.  She grew up in the Vici Church of the Firstborn attending church with her family and learning to serve the brethren. She graduated from Vici High School in May with the class of 1968 and was later baptized by Brother Donald Moss in October of that year.  She started her freshman year of college at Southwestern Oklahoma State University before she married her high school sweetheart, Jerry Coulson, on November 28, 1969. They established their first home together in Weatherford, OK, while Jerry finished college and welcomed their first daughter, Amy. After college, they welcomed Arlan to the family and moved to Seiling, OK, where Jerry began his career as a mathematics teacher.  In 1976, Jerry and Mary bought land in Chester, OK, and worked over the next few years to build a new home. They welcomed Angela and Alicia to the family while living in Chester. After retirement, they built a farmhouse on the family homestead east of Vici, OK, and moved to the farm at Christmas time in 2011.

Mary was musically inclined and a gifted pianist. Her musical contributions included playing for weddings, funerals, and special events. She worked as a kindergarten assistant and music teacher at Seiling Public Schools, even teaching music to a future son-in-law. Her love for music was passed down to her children and grandchildren, who cherish the memories of singing and playing at the piano together.

Mary successfully operated a Books Are Fun, Ltd. territory, earning numerous awards for her dedication and hard work. Through these years, she traveled to many schools in Oklahoma and Texas. She was known for her customer service and enjoyed providing a service to small, rural communities.

A devoted mother, Mary was always supportive of her children's endeavors. She was actively involved in 4-H, helping her children with baking, sewing, and showing animals, as well as supporting their involvement in sports, cheerleading, pageants, music and academic competitions. Her children always knew that Mom was there for them, encouraging and supporting them on the journey.

Mary also had a passion for gardening and landscaping. At their Chester home, she created beautiful flower beds, trees, and shrubs, taking great pride in nurturing her plants. She especially enjoyed the summer season with everything in full bloom.

As a grandmother, or "Mema" as she was affectionately called, Mary was a source of fun and adventure. Grandkids lived by a different set of rules at Mema's house. Time with Mema meant eating dessert before dinner, extra bubbles in the jacuzzi for bath time, orange pop and Cheetos, staying up late, and maybe even eating ice cream before bed. She enjoyed doing arts and crafts, playing Dominos and Pitch, and taking the girls to get their nails done. Mary enjoyed having the grandkids stay several days and nights at a time. She also enjoyed attending her grandkid's music, academic, and sporting events. Mary's love for her grandchildren was boundless.

Mary liked to travel and make memories. She had a very adventurous spirit. She went to Hawaii for a girls' trip with her three daughters and was excited to parasail, took the entire family on a Walt Disney World vacation, enjoyed family trips to Branson, cousin trips to Virginia, Books Are Fun conferences, and family camping trips at Canton Lake. She also delighted in hosting family meals and birthday parties to bring our busy families together. She was always looking forward to the next family gathering and adventure.

Mary was a people person who found joy in connecting with others. Her love language was gift-giving, and she spent hours crafting thoughtful notes to let others know they were loved and appreciated. She had impeccable penmanship and always made sure her cards and messages were heartfelt and personal.

Mary and Jerry recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in 2024, a testament to their commitment to each other. Together, they weathered life's storms, supporting each other through the ups and downs, and creating a rich legacy of family memories.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Lewis and Vivian White; her brother, Charles White; her great-granddaughter, Serenity Cunningham; in-laws Hilbert and Eileen Coulson; nephew, James Michael Louthan; sister-in-law Phyllis Coulson; brother-in-law Ed Elmore; brother-in-law Ralph Louthan.

She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Jerry Coulson, of Vici, OK; daughter Amy Cunningham and her husband Jeff of Vici, OK; son Arlan Coulson and his wife Noelle of Rogers, AR; daughter Angela Shuck and her husband Dustin of Edmond, OK; daughter Alicia Ellis and her husband Dusty of Seiling, OK;  grandson Jackson Cunningham and his wife Destiny of Greenwood, IN; grandson Connor Cunningham and his wife Autumn of Vici, OK; grandson Tyler Coulson of Rogers, AR; granddaughter Darcy and grandsons Koen and Wrigley Shuck of Edmond, OK; granddaughters Falynn, Korbyn, and Emery Ellis of Seiling, OK; great-granddaughter Jersey Cunningham of Greenwood, IN; sister Nita Elmore of Vici, OK; brother-in-law Francis Coulson of Wellston, OK; and sister-in-law Deena Louthan of Seiling, OK. Mary is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends who will miss her deeply.

In honor of Mary's memory, memorial donations can be made to your choice of the Vici Fire Department ,
Seiling Fire Department ,
or The General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn
c/o Shaw Funeral Home
PO Box 276
Vici, OK 73859