Mary Winifred Talkington, age 85, passed away on May 29, 2025, in Ardmore, Okla. Graveside services will be held at 10:30 am, Monday, June 2, 2025, at Provence Cemetery, Ardmore, Okla., led by Pastor John Hatfield. Services under the direction of Griffin~Hillcrest, Ardmore.

Mary was born in Lebanon, Okla. on April 14, 1940, to Jess Alford and Gussie (Chapman) Alford.

She attended Dickson Schools where she met the love of her life, Bill Talkington, at the age of 13. She was a graduate of the class of 1957. She married Bill on December 19, 1959, in Ardmore, Ok.

Mary was known to most as “Ma”. She was a faithful member of the Dickson First Baptist Church. She enjoyed teaching Sunday School, leading singing, working the cake walk at the Harvest Festival and always looked forward to the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Program. Mary was a supporter of Dickson Public Schools, serving on the School Board for 12 years. She was a homemaker, but her real passion was working with her dairy goats on her farm, Calico Farm. She was a founding member of the Arbuckle Dairy Goat Association. She attended and showed goats at the Carter County Free Fair for 36 consecutive years. Known as “the goat lady” in this area she sold fresh milk to many regular customers. She was also an honorary lifetime 4-H member. She loved looking at antiques and was an avid cookie jar collector.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Bill Talkington, one brother, J.R. Alford and grandson, Jared Smith.

Mary is survived by Daughters: Melinda Smith and husband, Lonnie, Laurie Ghassemi, Karin Mathis and husband, Rocky, and Kailee Page and husband, Jacob. Grandchildren: Michael Smith, Vanessa Smith and Jason Blain, Layla and George Hudson, Sara Ghassemi, Matt Ghassemi, Justin and Torri Mathis, Jordan Mathis and Samantha Schmeltzer, Rachel Page and Devan Vinson. Great-grandchildren: MaKayla Smith, Gracie Smith, Hunter Smith, Harlee Smith, Brayden Smith, Katelyn Smith and Keaveon Lofton. Great-great-grandson, "Baby K" Kaprice Lofton. Sister, Virginia Marris, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins, and her church family.

Serving as pallbearers are Lonnie Smith, Rocky Mathis, Jacob Page, Michael Smith, Matthew Ghassemi, Justin Mathis, Jordan Mathis, Hunter Smith, and Brayden Smith. Honorary pallbearers, Harold Wayne Dudley, a special nephew, Michael Yowell, and the Men of Dickson First Baptist Church.

Visitation will be held on Sunday evening, from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm, June 1, 2025, at Griffin ~ Hillcrest Funeral Home, Ardmore.

Thank you, Cross Timbers Hospice, especially Dr. Joe Hamill, Dr. Dale Anderson, Ashley, Kristina, Sonya, Sarah, Matt, Kerri, Julene, and Tera for the compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be sent to Cross Timbers Hospice at 207 C St NW, Ardmore, OK 73401 or The Gideon's International Bible Fund at PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800.