Mary Roseanna Shamel

September 21, 1935 - June 15, 2020

Mary Roseanna (Tillison) Shamel was born September 21, 1935 in Tahlequah Oklahoma. She was the daughter of Fred Tillison and Gladys (Reynolds) Tillison. On August 14, 1957 she married Don Shamel and together they had many adventures all over the country as they loved and raised their 7 children. They always came back to the Tahlequah area and eventually settled in the Keys community, bought Big Red Restaurant, then Gateway Grocery. After Don’s passing in 1992, Mary owned and managed Gateway Grocery and later Gateway Manor Mobile home park for many years. Mary was absolutely devoted to her children and grandchildren. She loved being outside and could grow anything. She loved her flowers, having a garden, watching the birds and anything that got her outside on a beautiful day. As long as she was physically able, she mowed her three acre yard and did all of her own maintenance. Into her 80’s she continued to cook, clean, and be strongly independent, always taking care of and loving her family. Physically and emotionally strong, Mary was known for her quirky sense of humor, her words of wisdom, and her absolute love, support and acceptance. Nonjudgmental, understanding and forgiving, Mary was always there to support those she loved. Her home was always a happy place and there was always room for one more. She made sure every child and grandchild knew that they were her favorite. Mary is preceded in death by the love of her life, husband Don Shamel, her parents, sisters Virginia Tillison, Mattie Jane Shamel, Hazel Gunderson and Mae Smith and brothers Ralph Tillison, Robert “Son” Carr, and Johnny Tillison. Those left to cherish her memory include: Son Don Shamel of Park Hill, his children Donna James, Terry Dray and Walter Shamel; daughter Carol Shamel of Tahlequah and her daughter Joanne Patrick; daughter Linda and husband Stanton Walker of Keys and their sons Scotty Walker and Bobby Walker; son Gary Shamel and wife Denita of Locust Grove and their daughters Gina Roach and Mindy Collins; daughter Roseanna Edwards and husband Joel of Park Hill and their children Jodie Edwards, Amanda Timmons, Billie Dawn Edwards, and Erik Edwards; daughter Patty Watts of Keys and her children Rhonda Elkins, Diane Carver and David Watts; daughter Billie and husband Perry Jordan of Keys, and their children Sara Jordan of Park Hill and Nate Jordan of Keys; and her beloved daughter/granddaughter Mary and husband Sambo Elkins and their son Dyllan Lindsey of the home and grandchildren that she raised, Josh Lindsey of the home and granddaughter Alix Corey of Keys. Mary leaves 33 great-grandchildren and 10 great- great- grandchildren that she loved and adored. She is also survived by brothers Mitchell and wife Dolly Tillison of Tahlequah, Freddie Tillison of Missouri, Bobby and wife Shelly Tillison of Tahlequah, Patsy James of Keys and Billie Turner of Keys. She also leaves a host of family and friends who will always remember her for her compassion and willingness to help anyone who needed a helping hand, a fresh start, or just someone to silently listen then assure them that it was all going to be okay.