Mary Beth (Browning) Retherford was born to Clarence William Browning and Thelma Mary (Howell) Browning on August 24, 1936, in Monroe, Oklahoma. She was the youngest of three sisters. The three of them, Emma Lou, Claranne, and Mary Beth enjoyed a childhood as the daughters of educators in Ft. Gibson. They had a beautiful bond and remained close throughout their lifetimes. Mary Beth earned her high school diploma from there in May of 1954. It was during that time in Ft. Gibson that she was baptized near Sugarloaf Mountain and began her walk with the Lord.

Mary Beth dearly loved her cousin, Lynda Garrett, and their loving relationship was close throughout their lives.

After graduating, Mary followed her sister, Claranne to Oklahoma State University. The girls walked to class in dresses and heels and made friends all over campus. Mary Beth even helped Eddie Sutton on a math problem during class one time.

There, Mary Beth met the love of her life, Norman Retherford, in the Classroom Building on campus. He took her on an ice cream date with the approval of her house parents and they started dating. On June 4, 1955, she and Norman eloped. Mary Beth and Norman went on to complete their bachelor's degrees from OSU in 1957. Mary Beth's love of the Cowboys stayed with her all her life, especially when it came to basketball.

Mary Beth attended worship at the First United Methodist Church where she was a member; attending the same church her parents had attended for decades. The church and its members were a source of strength and encouragement to her throughout her life. Mary Beth attended worship, sang in the choir, and played in the Bells Choir for many years. She made dear friendships there with many at that assembly. She was especially close friends with Lou Brown.  Along with the choir and the bells, the arts would play a significant role in her life.  She created many beautiful paintings, especially of Sugarloaf Mountain near Poteau, OK, a treasured memory from her childhood.

Mary Beth lived a life of service. From cooking the boys their favorite meal (steak and potatoes) before football games during High School, to weekly homemade pizza, to preparing large and delicious Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners until she was well into her eighties. She was always eager and ready to care for the members of First United Methodist Church, The Church of the Firstborn, her neighbors, and anyone else she felt had a need. Mary Beth prepared and delivered many meals to the sick.

Through Norman's family and The Church of the Firstborn she made dear friends with Snookie (Ann) Retherford who was like a sister to her through the years. She sang beautifully and enjoyed playing the piano and the organ at home for Norman. She also enjoyed playing and singing with dear friends and loved ones including Jimmy and Trela Thompson and Glen and Vickie Thompson.

She served as secretary for Norman in his real estate business and in later years as secretary for Barry during his early years as an attorney. She would always pick Norman up from the airport whenever he returned from his many flights for the cause of Christ. She was a full-time caregiver to her mother and after her mother's death worked as a teacher's assistant at University School in Tulsa teaching 3 year olds until her retirement in the early 2000s.

Reading the Bible, her devotionals and praying was her daily protocol. She spent time with the Lord every morning after rising from her bed.

Mary Beth is survived by her two sons, Bill Retherford and his wife, Kim, of Denton, Texas, and Barry and his wife, Rebecca, of Weatherford, Oklahoma, two grandsons, Justin Retherford, and his wife, Heather, and their daughter, Claire Elizabeth of Corinth, Texas and Nathan Retherford and his wife, Krisha, and their daughter, Wynona and a baby boy due in September, of Weatherford, Oklahoma, two granddaughters Stephanie Retherford and her daughter Kinsley of Hickory Creek, Texas and Mary Retherford of Stillwater, Oklahoma.  Her cousin, Lynda Garrett, nieces, Donna Pryor, Nancy Uhren, Sharon Hayes, and Carol Stewart along with a host of relatives, loved ones and friends.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home of Cushing.  A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at Owasso First Methodist Church, 13800 E. 106th St. North Owasso, Oklahoma 74055 with Pastor Jim Cinocca officiating.  Mary Beth's final resting place will be at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at Parkland Cemetery, Parkland, OK with Brother Dwayne Worthy officiating.  Visitation will be held on Friday, August 23, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family greeting friends during that time.