Margie Tracy

In the early morning hours of May 26th, 2024, Margie Mary Tracy, the matriarch of her family, passed from this life. Margie was born on October 21st, 1927 to Mary C (Rayfield) and Wesley S. Anderson in Earlsboro, Oklahoma. The oldest of seven siblings, Margie joined her family as they headed west to seek opportunity, but that stay was cut short when her father died tragically in a shipyard accident in Stockton, California. Margie would often recount the harrowing and solemn trip home to Earlsboro with her mother and six brothers. At the age of 18, Margie had to ensure her father’s casket was made at each transfer depot and momentarily lost one of her younger brothers in the bustling Los Angeles train station.

After returning to Seminole County, Margie set about helping her mother make do with the meager remittance the family received from her father’s death. In addition to helping look after her younger siblings, Margie was also caring for her own daughter Gaila Birdsell (Wood), born in 1945.

On June 24th 1947, Margie married Joe Marshell Tracy in Borger, Texas, where the two briefly resided before returning to Seminole County. In 58 years of marriage, the two raised their four daughters, Gaila, Julia, Linda, and Terri.

Margie possessed a work ethic beyond compare. In addition to raising her four daughters, and later helping raise some of her grandchildren, she held down many jobs outside of the home including Wackers, Gibson’s and the Chieftain Drive-In.

She retired as the head cook at the Woodrow Elementary School Cafeteria in 1997. In yet another instance of her omnipresent force in the family, she retired only after the last of her grandchildren had passed through the elementary school.

In retirement you could often find Margie on the swing on her front porch. A story teller in the greatest sense, Margie was always quick with a story from her life, and quicker still to argue with you if you dared question the details of the story. Or you could find her in her rocking chair in her kitchen, eager to a conversation and not shy with her opinions.

She took great pride from the arc of her life, from living in poverty in a one room home with floors made of dirt, to seeing her siblings, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren flourish in their own lives.

As the matriarch, her home was the fulcrum for decades of holiday events. At last count nearly seven decades of Christmas Eve celebrations, Thanksgivings, and Easters were held in her home.

Even in her later years, Margie could be seen in the scorching heat, a weed-eater swinging in her hands, her legs covered in freshly cut grass. She never slowed down. Which is why, even at the age of 96, the shock of her passing is so crushing to the family who have counted on her for support, encouragement, hard truths, and perspective. And more than all of that, love. Her familiar embrace and presence made it possible for us to imagine she would never leave us. And perhaps, it’s that same staunchly defiant insistence on being there for her family that will mean in many ways she never leave.

Margie was known to those closest to her as Mother or Nan. And to the author of this obituary, as well as many others, she filled a role in our lives that fulfilled both. Taking a personal liberty, I would not be the man and especially the father I am today without her and I am grateful beyond measure that my children, her great-grandchildren, were able to have known her. I know I speak for all of her grandchildren who shared this privilege.

Margie is survived by her four daughters, Gaila Wood (Dennis) of Universal City, TX, Linda Petty (Dan), Newalla, OK, Julia Lashley of Anna, TX, and Terri Kiesel of Seminole, with whom Margie lived in the final days of her life.

She is survived by her grandchildren Brian Dodson (Diane) of Anna, TX, Amy Wood (Scott), of New Braunfels, TX, Tim Wood (Allyson) of the The Colony, TX, LeAnne Newell of Midwest City, OK, Ryan Kiesel (Allison) of Oklahoma City, OK, and Paige Ledbetter (Chris) of Seminole, OK.

She is also survived by her great-grandchildren Regan Canton, Hunter Wood, Brandon Wood, Lindsey Wood, Katelyn Payne, Oliver and Claire Kiesel and Luke Ledbetter.

In addition, she is survived by her brother Dean E Anderson and his wife Deanie of Seminole OK. Dean is the last surviving sibling of the seven. For decades Dean and his family lived directly across the street from Margie. They saw each other almost daily, exchanging from rum cakes to lawn mowing and their often disparate political views.

Lastly Margie is survived by her former son-inlaw Ron Kiesel whom she loved and her dear sisterin- law Cheryl Anderson and numerous very special nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friend Carol Williams as well as numerous other friends.

Margie was predeceased by her husband Joe Marshell Tracy, her brothers Leon, Carmon (Shorty), Raymond, Howard and Kenneth. Sisters-in-law Neta Anderson Carrino and Ann (Merryfield) Anderson.

Pallbearers are Mitchell Anderson, Scott Wood, Tim Wood, Ron Kiesel, Steve Anderson and Chris Ledbetter. Honorary pallbearers are Kevin, Micheal, Lance and Quenton Anderson. Service will be officiated by Reverend Lori Walke at Swearingen Funeral home on May 30th at 1:00 pm, graveside services to follow at the Little Cemetery. A reception for friends and family will be held at the Highway Baptist Church following the services.