Mary Elisabeth Rea, 84, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 3, 2025 in Ardmore, Oklahoma, surrounded by her loving family.
Family Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home in Odessa, Texas. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 P.M., Thursday, October 9, 2025 at Sunset Memorial Gardens with Donnie Williams, the pastor of The Bridge in Odessa, officiating. Arrangements are by Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home.
Mary was born in Tallant, Oklahoma on May 20, 1941 to her parents, Maymie and Clarence Means. Mary moved to Odessa, Texas and attended Odessa High School graduating in 1959. She was married to Billy Rea on July 9, 1960 at First United Methodist Church of Odessa. She was a member at First United Methodist Church and volunteered at the food pantry. She served on the Crystal Ball Foundation Board and was President of the Foundation in 1996. She moved to Ardmore, Oklahoma in 2020 to be with her daughter, and attended Generations Church for some time.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Maymie and Clarence Means, her grandson, Dawson Lynn Freeman, her husband Billy Rea, and her sister, Judith Means.
Mary is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Michelle and Jefferey Rea, her daughter and son-in-law, Kristin and Jon Brewer, her grandchildren, Collin Freeman, Denton Rea, Parker Freeman, Destiny Smith, and Karley Wright, and their spouses, Neveah Freeman, Parker Smith and Lucas Wright, her great-grandchildren, Dawson Rea Freeman, and her sister and brother-in-law, Wanda Dews and Tony Rea, his wife, Brenda Rea.
Pallbearers will be Collin Freeman, Denton Rea, Parker Freeman, Lucas Wright, Ronnie Freeman, and Jon Brewer.
Memorials may be given to Generations Church, Ardmore, Oklahoma, to the Missions Funds.
The Family of Mary Elisabeth Rea wishes to extend our sincere thanks to a family friend, Shawna Churchill, and caregivers, Earnie Foster, Rhonda Hammett, Gail Cornado, Shekinah Hammett, Krista Eddings, Paige Jones, Samantha Bradley and Cross Timbers Hospice in Ardmore, OK.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and condolences can be left on the obituary at the funeral home website.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreYou may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read moreThese free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read moreSome basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read moreSponsored