Funeral service for Mary Reba Gather will be 1:00p.m. Friday, September 25, 2026 in Calvary Assembly of God with Rev. Byron Elmore officiating.

Burial will follow in Hobart Rose Cemetery, Hobart, Oklahoma under direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.

The family will greet friends from 5-7 pm Wednesday at the funeral home.

Mary Reba Stills Gather was born at home on June 17th, 1935, on a farm south of Rocky, Oklahoma. She was the eighth child of Willis Burton Stills, age 46, and Mary Emmaline Grigg Stills, age 48. She had four older brothers and three older sisters. Her birth was very difficult, but after getting a second doctor to their home to assist, she finally arrived! She weighed in at thirteen pounds.

When Mary was two years old her dad died, probably of an appendicitis. This changed the trajectory of her family, leaving her mom alone to raise the five children still living at home. However, we have it by good authority, that as the youngest child Mary may have been a little spoiled by everyone in the family. She was exempt from the milking chores, slopping the pigs, and repairs around the farm. Her big sister that was the closest in age to her was Willie. Willie was seven years older and she took on the role of protector and contributed to the spoiling. They went to school together in Rocky, but Mary didn't like school much and cried so they would let her go to Willie's classroom and sit with her. Willie has remained her dearest friend all through life and in these last few years when Willie moved back to Lawton from California they were able to live close to each other and talk with each other almost daily.

When Mary was eight years old they moved into Hobart. The First Baptist Church was only a block away from their house and that is where she was saved and baptized. She attended school in Hobart until she graduated with the class of 1953 from Hobart High School. Some of her treasured memories were the carefree days of high school and the dear friends she had there.

She was working at Goslin's 5 & 10 the day she met a local young man, Howard Gather, recently home from serving a tour of duty in Korea. They began dating off and on until her graduation in 1953. On graduation day, he "offered her" the gift of an engagement ring and she accepted. They were married in August of 1953 in Wichita Falls, Texas and set up housekeeping and building a life in Hobart. For a period of time they worked for Grey Van Lines and drove a furniture moving truck through much of the U.S. east of the Rocky Mountains. They visited 38 states but predominantly worked on the East Coast and those days of adventure, birthed a love in them both for travel that they cultivated for years.

Their family grew as they welcomed two daughters, Vicki & Rhonda. In 1961 they moved to Lawton to attend Lawton Heights Assembly of God (presently Calvary A.G) They were faithful members and enjoyed working in the church. Mary taught Sunday School, taught VBS classes, started a ministry for the deaf that was active for many years, and helped establish the Primetimer's Ministry.

She & Howard established a business as builders and developers of custom homes and commercial properties with Mary working on the design and decorating side of the business. They also owned Lawton Artistic Ornamental Iron where she was the bookkeeper. After semi-retiring, in 1978, they moved to Colorado for several years where they owned Ute Bluff Lodge & RV park. After moving back home to Oklahoma so they could spend more time with their five granddaughters, they built several more homes and two churches, Calvary Life AG in Hobart and Bethesda AG in Oklahoma City.

Mary's favorite pastimes included homemaking, sewing, fishing, hunting and traveling in their RV's. She loved traveling and enjoyed many good times and miles with family and friends.

In 2021, Howard passed away, and Mary had to face the most difficult thing in her life...being alone. We as family observed the faithfulness of God to her as He carried and directed her. God provided for her a dear supportive friend, Arnold Belcher, who became her dearest friend as they shared meals together, attended church together, enjoyed family together and traveled with friends together.

Mary passed from this life on Friday, September 18, 2026, and she leaves behind her loving family:

Daughters: Vicki Dacus & husband Craig of Newcastle; Rhonda Elmore and husband David of Lawton.

Grandchildren: Kristi Robinett & husband Jeff of Norman; Michelle Evans of Oklahoma City; Jamie Conner & husband Kevin of Newcastle; Tanya Thompson & husband Devron of Plano, TX; Allison Elmore of Lawton.

12 Great Grandchildren: Ashlyn & Efren Escobedo, Brandon Robinett, Devin & Kate Conner, Ethan Conner, Dawson Evans, Brigham Evans, Kaden Thompson, Kaiya Thompson, and Avionna & Anderson Elmore.

5 Great Great Grandchildren: Jackson, Mia, Olivia, Enzo, Brooks and one on the way

Sister: Willie Marie Andrews & many nieces and nephews

She was preceded in death by her parents, Willis and Emma Stills, her husband, William Howard Gather, four brothers, Onel, Doyle, Earl and Tom, and her sisters, Lillie and Lorene.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Memorial Home Health and other caregivers for their care as well as to those who cared for her home. You each made her final days easier.