Mary Kathryn Waterman

Mary Kathryn (Herring) Waterman passed away on December 24 in Ozark, Missouri, at the age of 86, following a short illness. Mary was born on August 7, 1939, in Sulphur, Oklahoma, to Margarete Kathryn (Kinley) Herring and Alison Junior Herring. She was raised in Sulphur in the multi-generational home of her grandparents, John and Laura Kinley. Throughout her life, Mary remained proud of her small-town Oklahoma upbringing and often referred to herself as a proud Okie. Mary migrated from Oklahoma to the Springfield, Missouri, area in the late 1950s and settled in Republic, Missouri, in 1967, where she and her husband, Doug, raised their family and where she remained for nearly 58 years until shortly before her passing. Mary was an ardent football fan, with a lifelong passion for her Oklahoma Sooners and, later in life, the Kansas City Chiefs. Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her dear husband of 50 years, Doug; a son, Kurt; her brother, Frank; her cousin, Jammie Sue; and her very special aunt and uncle, Ann and Ron Afdahl. She is survived by her sons, Mark (Kara), Chris (Jucel), and Jeff (Penny); grandchildren, Amanda (Shane), Lacey (Rick), Todd (Lauren), Megan (Rion), and Kurt (Paige); great-grandchildren, Tenley, Kason, Kyler, Addison, Liam, and Mila; dear sister-in-law, Rose Marie Herring; cousin, Linda (Earl) Sides; and a host of extended family and friends. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm with procession to Evergreen Cemetery following for a graveside service. Arrangements are under the direction of Meadors Funeral Home, 314 N. Main St, Republic, MO 65738, 417-732-2535. Online condolences can be made at www.meadorsfuneralhome.com