Mary Lou Cossey

Mary Lou Cossey, 87, of Altus, passed away on Sunday, May 17, 2015 in Oklahoma City. The Cossey family invites friends to come and share their love and memories on Sunday, May 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Kincannon Funeral Home. Cremation arrangements are under the care of the Kincannon Funeral Home.

Mary Lou was born on Aug. 31, 1927 in Tulsa to John R. and Goldie (Zufall) Collins. Her mother passed away in 1933 when she was 6 years old. Consequently, she was raised by her father and her stepmother, Grace. Grace was a teacher and insisted that all of her children should graduate from college. Mary Lou graduated from high school in Fort Smith, Ark., and went on to graduate from Hendrix College in Conway, Ark. with her Bachelor's of Religious Education. She married Frank Cossey on Oct. 31, 1948 in Fort Smith. She and Frank lived in Midwest City where they started their family before moving to Altus. Together they owned and operated several retail stores until retirement. Mary Lou was devoted to her family and serving others. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where she enjoyed singing in the choir. She was also a member of the McDowell Club and loved hosting their annual Christmas meeting in her home for many years. An avid supporter of the Altus FFA, she received an Honorary Chapter FFA Degree in 2010.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a brother, J.R. Collins; and a sister, Barbara Collins.

Survivors include a son, Bill Cossey and wife Sherry of Marble Falls, Texas; four daughters, Terri Haley and husband Robert of Portland, Oregon, Kevin Criswell of Portland, Lisa Johnson and husband Chris of Oklahoma City, and Kelly Childers and husband Ronnie of Altus; and 10 grandchildren, Kyle and wife Roxanne and Kinsey Cossey, Aaron Haley and wife Kristina, Melissa Parmelee and husband Brandon, Noah Criswell and Mary Beth Spillman, Kaylen and Haley Johnson, Logan Childers and wife Sara, Cole and Cade Childers. There are eight great-grandchildren and twin girls due in Sepember. McKenna, Carter, and Eliannna Parmelee, Sky Lynn Cossey, Presley and Riley Criswell, Rayden Cossey & Grayson Childers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Altus FFA Chapter, the McDowell Club scholarship fund, Washington Elementary School, or the American Heart Association. Online tributes may be made at kincannonfuneralhome.com

Our family is a circle of strength and love. With every birth and every union, the circle grows. Every joy shared adds more love. Every crisis faced together makes the circle stronger. Sweet Momo was the Matriarch of the Cossey family and the glue that formed our larger family structure. She will be sorely missed by all of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who were all the light of her life. She loved us all more than life itself.

She also loved to cook and passed on her culinary talents to many of us. She was the peanut brittle Queen and the unofficial critic of any restaurant. She loved Christmas and her Snow Village display which delighted everyone who saw it. The OKC Thunder was her team, Wheel of Fortune was her show and slot machines were her game. Her love of singing and music was another gift she gave us all.

Momo especially loved watching her grandchildren grow, supporting their each and every activity and encouraging them to always follow their dreams. She had a special relationship with each one, no two alike. She was so proud of all of their accomplishments.

Summertime at Momo's was the highlight for us all. Most of the grandkids and great-grandkids learned to swim in her pool. We ate frozen peaches and home made ice cream, drank lots of cherry limeades and used gallons of sunscreen. Momo cooked all our favorite foods and delighted in every moment. We are all heartbroken but even though it cost us tears of sadness, the memories were a bargain.

She was the guiding light, the helping hands and the warm heart that always led us home. She was our rock, our best friend, and now our guardian angel. She will be forever missed and never forgotten.