Maytha Ann Mead

Maytha Ann Mead passed away in her home in Ardmore at the age of 90, on August 22, 2025. Born on March 23, 1935 in Oklahoma City, Maytha was the only child of Manolia and James Wagner. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John Howard Mead, an infant son, John Howard Mead Jr. and her beloved Aunt Leola Scovil. The influence of her grandparents and Aunt Leola led her to her path as a Christian.

Maytha attended Oklahoma City public schools and graduated from Classen High School in 1953. She went to college at Oklahoma City University on an academic scholarship, graduating in only three years with a bachelor's degree in education. While at OCU she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. She was also chosen to be an OKC Home Show Queen and Lamda Chi Alpha Sweetheart during her college years.

Maytha met her husband John while attending OCU. While John completed his Master's degree in music, Maytha began her teaching career in the Oklahoma City Public schools, teaching 3rd grade. Shortly after John's graduation from OU, they were married and moved to Ardmore in 1959. There they raised their daughter Marcia. Maytha resided in Ardmore for the remaining 66 years of her life.

Maytha and John joined The First United Methodist Church of Ardmore in 1960. Maytha taught Children's Sunday School and made sure Marcia had an upbringing in the church as well.

Maytha attended bible studies and taught in Vacation Bible School. In her later years, she and John participated in the Walk to Emmaus, which was a life changing event for both of them. She was a speaker at one of the walks and for years she and John sponsored other couples to go on the walk.

She also served on the Staff Parish Relations Committee, the Finance Committee and was a delegate to the state conference several times. She was a member of the Wesley Sunday School class. She and her daughter went on two mission trips to Rio Bravo where the team from First Methodist built cinder block casitas for the impoverished people who had no electricity or running water. When she could no longer physically participate in the building, she sewed curtains for the casitas and played with the children.

After her husband's death in 1995, Maytha began her own personal ministry helping other widows through their grieving process. She shared her own journey of grief with the loss of her husband at age 60. She prayed with the women, provided books on grief and encouraged them to return to church. She often accompanied women for their first return to church, without their husband. She understood the importance of surrounding yourself with a loving community while at the same time moving through the stages of grief.

Maytha also felt strongly about supporting the impoverished and those who had no access to education. She sponsored several children through the Watoto program which began in Kampala, Uganda South Africa in 1984. A Watoto village is a safe place where orphaned and abandoned children live in villages providing food, clothing, education, medical care and the love of a house mother while celebrating the love of Jesus.

The first children Maytha sponsored were only 7 years old at the time. They now have completed college and have gone on to live full lives. The oldest child is now in his late twenties, still corresponds by email with "ma mead" about his life, his family and his love for Jesus. The satisfaction and joy Maytha felt from receiving letters and updates, was immeasurable. Since those first two children, Maytha has continued to support other children as well.

Maytha will be long remembered by her family and the many whose lives she touched. In lieu of flowers, a contribution can be made to The First Methodist Church Wesley Sunday School Class or to the Watoto Foundation at www.Watoto.com.

A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, August 28th at 11:00 a.m. at the First Methodist Church. Visitation will be Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Craddock Funeral Home.