Mary Ann Swanson

Mary Ann (Harris) Swanson passed away Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at Jasmine Estates Memory Care Facility in Edmond, Oklahoma. She was born October 15, 1934 in Navina, Oklahoma to Melvin Henry Harris and Leona Belle (Dutcher) Harris.

Mary Ann attended Guthrie Public Schools, graduating in 1952. After graduation at age 17, Mary Ann traveled by train out of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Grand Central Station in New York City, to marry her future husband, Charles E. Swanson, who was soon to be deployed to Korea to serve in the Korean War. On July 9, 1952, they were married in a wedding chapel on Staten Island. After Charles was deployed, Mary Ann traveled by train back to Guthrie, Oklahoma where she established a home for them.

She worked and retired from Guthrie High School. She worked in the cafeteria and loved seeing the kids everyday. She was an amazing cook. Her specialty was homemade cinnamon rolls and homemade chicken and noodles.

Mary Ann was a member of Noble Avenue Baptist Church for fifty plus years. She was a devout Christian and attended Church every Sunday before moving to Jasmine Estates in November of 2021.

Mary Ann and Charles celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with family, friends, and residents of Jasmine Estates in 2022 where they were both residents.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles; her parents; two sisters, Wilma Jean Kelly and Leora "Lee" Gin; and three brothers, Leon Harris, James Harris, and Donald Harris.

Mary Ann is survived by her daughter, Vickie and husband, Dan Merkle of Fort Worth, Texas; son, Chuck Swanson of Guthrie; her grandchildren, Ryan and wife, Angella of Bedford, Texas, Trey and wife, Kristen of Katy, Texas, Skylar and wife, Brandy of Battlement Mesa, Colorado, Brenton and wife, Denisse of Edmond, Oklahoma, Tanner and wife, Kassie of Dover, Oklahoma, and Haley Free of Shreveport, Louisiana; numerous great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Monday, November 10, 2025 at Pleasant Hill Cemetery which is located at the southwest corner of Waterloo Road and Sooner Road in Edmond. Services are under the direction of Smith-Gallo Funeral Home, 220 North 1st Street, Guthrie, Oklahoma 73044.

There will not be any viewing or visitation and the casket will remain closed at all times.

Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.smithgallo.com.