Marie Gassaway

Marie Gassaway, 75, of Muskogee, Oklahoma passed away Wednesday, November 21, 2018 with her children by her side. She was born on January 12, 1943 to Ernest and Myrtle (Clampitt) Rowe in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Marie graduated from Ramona High School with the class of 1961. She married the love of her life, J.W. Gassaway, on November 3, 1973 in Moore, Oklahoma. Marie worked at Coburn Optical for many years as the manager of warehouse operations until her retirement in 2004. She was an avid fan of youth sports especially baseball. Marie was a member of Muskogee Youth Sports Association for more than 30 years. She was instrumental in upgrading and maintaining Hatbox Field backstops, fences and concessions. Marie was also a member of Timothy Baptist Church, and charter member of the 3 Rivers Photography Club and the Muskogee Art Guild. She was an artist and enjoyed painting, pottery, blown glass and working with silver. She was an outstanding wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and supporter of the community. Marie’s loyal and generous heart will be missed by everyone who knew and loved her. She was preceded in death by her father Ernest Rowe; and her husband, J.W. Gassaway. Marie is survived by her sons, Clint Lechner and wife Marti of Crockett, TX, Stanley Lechner and wife Jane of Bella Vista, AR; daughters, Denise Ragsdale and husband Tom of Muskogee, OK, Donna Bentley and husband Jeff of Spencer, OK, grandchildren, Lauren Jenkins, Allison Snider, Matt Mead, John Fleming, Kyle Lechner, Cody and wife Tana, Mandi, Sonny and Autrey; great-grandchildren, Myles, William, Sarah Jane, Madison, Mary, Donovan, Benji, Logan, Sawyer, Dawson, Kase and Kane; mother Myrtle Rowe of Tulsa, OK; sisters, Mary Rowe of Tulsa, OK, Margaret Landers and husband Vern of Collinsville; and her special companion, Smoke, her dog. The family will receive friends and family 5:30P.M. - 7:30P.M., Monday, November 26, 2018 at Cornerstone Funeral Home. In Lieu of flowers, family request donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital www.stjude.org A celebration of Marie’s life will be 2:00P.M., Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at Timothy Baptist Church with Pastor Kelly Payne officiating. Interment will follow at Greenhill Cemetery with Mike Case, Marvin Thouvenell, Bryan Thouvenell, Jake Schnare, Nathan Frisby and T.R. Scott serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Mark Reed, Eric McPherson, James Evans, Marshall Timmons, Jeff Eagle, Tyler Johnson, Kevin Rodden, Jakeem Johnson, Tyrone Jones, Richard Parris, Travis Bryant Alex Parris, Josh Fields and Tyler Carr. Funeral services are under the direction of Cornerstone Funeral Home, 1830 N. York St, Muskogee, OK. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.cornerstoneofmuskogee.com.

Marie Gassaway

January 12, 1943 - November 21, 2018