Mary Nell Montgomery passed away at her daughter Christie’s home in Norman, Oklahoma on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at the age of eighty years.

Mary is the daughter of Cecil & Maxine (Wolfe) Compton, born on January 23, 1946, in Shawnee, Oklahoma. She was brought up and attended schools in Wanette, Oklahoma, and graduated Wanette High School as Salutatorian of the Class of 1964. She attended one year at OCC and then three years at OU, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Nursing. She dedicated forty-seven years of her life to nursing, and considered it her calling more than just her career. For thirty-seven years as an RN at Holdenville General Hospital she was deeply devoted to every patient and family she served before retiring in 2006. She carried that same commitment in home health services for another ten years, and officially retired in 2016. After retiring she remained available any time her assistance was needed, and spent many hours easing the burden of families dealing with health issues. She was married to James Montgomery in Holdenville on April 17, 1973, and they made Holdenville their lifelong home. They were blessed with four daughters, Anna, Karri, Christie, and Jamie, and enjoyed forty-three years together before James passed away on April 9, 2016. She attended the Church of Christ.

Mary made the most of life and enjoyed it to the fullest. She was an excellent softball pitcher and throughly enjoyed playing for several years, even though her husband James was Coach. She was all into sports and belonged for several years to a bowling league. She attended Thunder games often, and was an avid, enthused, and very loud Thunder fan. She was a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Some of her favorite things were crocheting, reading, fishing, and watching America’s Funniest Home Videos. More than anything, she loved her family. She was actively involved in her children’s school and sporting activities, and very much involved in her grandchildren’s activities as well. Her grandchildren spent nearly every weekend at her home. She was deeply loved and will be deeply missed.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Cecil & Maxine Compton; her husband of 43 years, James Montgomery.

She is survived by four daughters: Anna Herring (Wayne) of Lubbock TX, Karri Montgomery of Holdenville, Christie Claborn (Travis) of Norman, and Jamie Montgomery of Holdenville; eight grandchildren: Candace Martinez, Britney Thompson, Cassie Janes, Lauran Thompson, Madison Martin, Harley Epperley (Azlin), Taylor Janes, and Shelby Evans; fourteen great-grandchildren: Jaxon, Langston, Traiden, Niya, Tristen, Kinzley, Korbin, Novella, Ellie, Blakely, Henlee, Harper, Hayes, and one on the way; one brother, James Compton (Linda), and one sister, Margaret Compton; two nieces, Stacy Compton and Denise Kistler, and one nephew, Bart Sheffield; seven great-nieces: Breana, Megan, Dacia, Denna, Shena, Annalisa, and Ceira; four great-nephews: Braden, James, Evan, and Kameron; other family members and many friends.

Funeral services will be Saturday, October 24, 2026, 2:30pm at Holdenville Cemetery Chapel, with Rev. Dane Robinson and Mr. Bill Robinson officiating. Pallbearers are Harley Epperley, Taylor Janes, Jaxon Williams, Langston Williams, Traiden Alford, and Bart Sheffield. Honorary pallbearers are Triston Parsley, Travis Claborn, Tristen Alford, James Wilcox, and Evan Johnson.

Viewing at the funeral home will be Friday, October 23, 10:00am till 7:00pm.