Funeral Mass for Mary Julia Prowell will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with Rev. John Paul Lewis, Pastor officiating.

Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.

The service may be viewed via livestream through the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church website.

A Rosary will be held at 6:00 p.m. Monday June 16, 2025 at the funeral home.

Mary Julia Prowell was a woman of quiet strength, deep devotion, and fierce love for her family. She was born on November 18, 1937 in Lawton, Oklahoma. She passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, June 12, 2025 at the age of 87.

Mary entered school only communicating in the Spanish language. Through her determination, she taught herself English. It was just one of many quiet challenges she overcame with resilience and grace.

She met her sweetheart, Ivan Prowell, in grade school. He was persistent in his pursuit, and their love grew through the years. They eventually married on October 17, 1964, beginning a life of deep commitment and enduring love. When she married Ivan, she also brought her mother, Lucy, and younger sister, Victoria, into their home-setting a tone of multigenerational support and sacrificial care that would mark the rest of her life.

Mary began working in civil service at Fort Sill immediately after graduating high school. She loved her job-taking walks during lunch breaks, chatting with coworkers, and being part of something larger than herself. She served faithfully until the age of 56, when she entered early retirement to care for her daughter Nicole. As much as she loved her job, Mary would always put her family first.

In the years that followed, she also played a vital role in caring for her grandchildren. She walked Julia home from grade school each day, fixed favorite snacks with love, read to them during rest time, and let little hands help her hang clothes on the line. Mary didn't seek recognition; she simply showed up, again and again, to care for those she loved.

Mary was a longtime member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, where her quiet but unwavering devotion to her faith was a cornerstone of her life. Her love for God was evident in the way she cared for others-with humility, consistency, and deep compassion. She was also an expert baker, known for filling her home with the comforting aroma of homemade treats. Whether it was cookies, cakes, or sweet breads, she delighted in baking for her family, friends, and anyone lucky enough to be in her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ivan Prowell; daughter, Nicole Prowell; and her parents, Jim and Lucy (LaBrada) Sarabia.

She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Daniela and Jeff Little, and Jonea and Brent Hammond; her granddaughter, Julia Ross and husband Connor Ross; grandsons, Noah Hammond and Jarret Hammond; and her five great-granddaughters: Mia, Aubree, Aria, Luca, and Isla. She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Victoria and James Van Sickel, and their children, Jade Nichols and husband Tyler Nichols, and Enrique Van Sickel.

The Rosary and Visitation will be held on Monday, June 16 at 6:00 PM at Becker-Rabon Funeral Home. Funeral mass will take place at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church on Tuesday, June 17 at 10:00 AM.

The family offers heartfelt gratitude to the hospice team at CCMH for their gentle and devoted care in Mary's final days. Their presence brought comfort and dignity to her passing.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CCMH Hospice at www.ccmhhealth.com/hospice or by mail to:

CCMH Hospice

2801 NW 36th Street

Lawton, OK 73505

An online guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.beckerfuneral.com