Mary Nell Wallraven

Mary Nell Wallraven, 97, passed away October 11, 2025, in Lafayette, LA. She was born May 26, 1928, to Manley Cyde and Elma Mary (Sheets) Bloom in Anadarko, OK. She was married to Alvin Dennis Wallraven.
Mary Nell lived a life of service to God, family, and community. She began her service as a teenager, spreading hope and joy through community service as a Candy Striper in local hospitals. As her children grew, she assisted in the church nurseries, served as a Sunday school teacher, and eventually ran the church daycare for a period of time.
She became involved with elections, becoming the head clerk at the local polling station in her district. She was responsible for managing and delivering tabulated votes to election officials. She did this for many years. Mary Nell was always active with the church youth group, hosting Bible studies and social events at her home and assisting other locations. She also volunteered in her local community representing OSU extension, visiting the underprivileged in Oklahoma City, teaching nutrition and budgeting to families.
Mary Nell worked with the church's homebound, distributing the previous week's sermons to those that couldn't travel to church any longer. She worked for many years supporting her husband, Alvin, who was heavily involved in the Southern Baptist disaster relief team, while still pushing the boundaries of a woman's role in the organization. She attended many national conferences over the years with her husband. But her most rewarding and highest service was to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren whom she cherished and put above herself always. Her legacy is permanent and long-lasting in every person she came in contact with.
Mary Nell was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Alvin; son, Mark; and sisters, Betty and Carolyn. She is survived by her son, Henry and wife Manilyn; grandchildren, Corum, Brayden and Mark; and great-grandchildren, Patrick, Kaisley, Ryker, Joselyn and Elijah.
Viewing at Mercer-Adams Funeral Service in Bethany, OK will be Friday, October 24 from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family present from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. There will be a graveside service on Saturday, October 25 at 11:00 a.m. at Resthaven Memory Gardens Cemetery.