Obituary of Mary Jo Strawn

Mary Jo Strawn, age 90 of Idabel, OK passed away on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at Idabel, OK.  She was born on June 25, 1927 in the Pollard Community, OK, the daughter of James C. and Edna Britt Roach.

She attended school at Pollard, Harris and Haworth, OK before beginning work with the National Youth Association (NYA).  It was while working for the NYA that she met Reed Strawn, Sr., her husband of nearly 36 years. The two married on April 16, 1943 when Mary Jo was only 15.

Mary Jo worked in several Idabel cafes over the course of many years. She also worked at the Idabel Tag Agency, the State Theater, Piggly Wiggly and the Shoe Mart, where she worked until the age of 79.

She and Reed loved to travel and took many trips together.  Mary Jo also enjoyed playing cards and dominos, country music and fishing.

Her house was always open to anyone and she lived to cook for and spend time with her family. Over the course of her life she was a mother figure to many. She and Reed also served as chaperones for Teen Town in Idabel during the 1960s.

She and Reed became members of the United Methodist Church in the 1970s.

Mary Jo was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Reed Strawn Sr.;  son, Reed Strawn Jr.; granddaughter, Reida Cochran Sivard; sisters, Betty Sue Roach, Doris Roach, Helen Pollard and Mozelle Montgomery and a brother, James C. Roach Jr.

She leaves to cherish her memory a daughter, JoAnn Strawn Scott and husband, Perry of Idabel; granddaughter, Johnna Cochran Smith and husband James of Holly Creek; grandson-in-law, Ken Sivard Sr. and wife Lisa of Idabel; great-grandchildren, Kenny Sivard and wife Marvelle of Idabel, Jessica Sivard of Idabel, Tyler Reed Sivard of Idabel, Trevor James Smith of Holly Creek, Brittani Manire and husband Brandon of Idabel and Michael Giles of Broken Bow; great-great-grandchildren, Kenneth S.L. Sivard of Rockford, Tennessee, Joline Sivard of Rockford, Tennessee, Matthew Stolzfus of Idabel and Aaron Stolzfus of Idabel; sister, Sybil Cason of Killeen, TX; sister-in-law, Lillian Roach of California; brother-in-law, Kim Strawn of Oregon; several nieces, nephews, special neighbors and dear friends.

Her family will forever remember their “Mimi” and  “Memaw” as an example of true, steadfast and unconditional love.  She always put family first and today they consider her one of their biggest and best blessings from God.