Maria de Lurdes Costa Heartsell, age 80, went home to be with Jesus on Sunday, July 7, 2024, in Ardmore, Okla., with her family by her side. Cremation under the direction of Hillcrest Crematory, Griffin~Hillcrest Funeral Home, of Ardmore.

Maria was born on March 29, 1944, to Jose de Costa Oliveira and Maria Lurdes Tavares Teves at São Miguel, Azores, Portugal. Moving to Ardmore, Okla., in 1980, where she raised three daughters. She worked at the Marietta Sportswear Mfg. Co., Inc. (The Pants Factory), in Ardmore, Okla., then at Lasley’s One Stop in Ardmore, before she was diagnosed with a chronic illness that forced her into an early retirement.

Maria loved to sew and crochet. She crocheted many beautiful things for her family and close friends. She was a person of great faith and a fierce prayer warrior. She spent hours in daily prayer, praying for everyone she knew, and would send out countless daily messages of love and encouragement. Maria prized her time visiting and laughing with everyone she met, for she knew no stranger. She will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched.

She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant daughter, five brothers: Edmundo, Joao, Jose Luis, Gil, and Miguel, a nephew, Hilberto.

Maria is survived by her three daughters: Lucia Williamson, Teresa Singleton, and Leta Covert and husband, Brandon, all of Ardmore, Okla. Grandchildren: Josh Williamson and wife, Deanna, of Gloversville, New York, and Amber Williamson, of Ardmore, Briana Manley and husband, Bryce, of Maplewood, New Jersey, Brooke Hudson of Ardmore, Tony Howard and wife, Abbie, of Mannsville, Okla., Darian Hightower, Zack Bolter and wife, Anna, and Mia Singleton, all of Ardmore, and sixteen great-grandchildren. Sisters: Grace Teves and husband, Artur, of Mississauga, Ontario, and Teresa Oliveira of Terceira, Azores. Brothers: Artur Oliveira and wife, Maria, and Antonio Olveira, all of Praia da Vitoria, Azores, Manuel Oliveira and wife Lidia from Alcochete, Portugal, and numerous well loved nieces and nephews.

The family of Maria would like to say thank you to all the staff at Cross Timbers hospice and especially to Dorothy Beames, Shanna Kerley, Jeff Clemons, Julene Howard, Loulou Hamilton, Stephanie Povendo, Georgia Clark and Dr. Joe Hamill. Please consider making a donation in Maria’s name to Cross Timbers Hospice, 207 C Street NW, Ardmore, OK 73401.