Mary Louise Tefertiller

Longtime Tecumseh and Shawnee resident, Mary Louise 'Cris' Tefertiller, passed from this life on Thursday, June 13, in her most recent home in Claremore, Oklahoma. Born on February 7, 1933, in Hillsboro, Texas, to Joseph R. Marrs and Ruth (White) Neal, Louise was reared by her maternal grandparents, George and Mamie White in Tecumseh. She attended Willard and Barnard Elementary Schools, and was a proud Tecumseh High School alumnus, class of 1951. Married April 7, 1956, to James Tefertiller, Cris and Jim built a beautiful home on Malone Road in Tecumseh, in 1967, enjoying many celebrations with friends and family there. A lifelong and diligent employee and homemaker, Cris worked for Shawnee's Sylvania plant, for two stints in Quality Control. As an inaugural employee of the Mobil Chemical plant in Shawnee, she worked first in Quality Control, but retired after 17 years with Security and Safety. As a young girl, Mary Louise was an active Rainbow Girl, and later became Mother Advisor to her daughter's chapter in Shawnee, traveling the state and the country with the girls. A member of Broadway United Methodist Church in Tecumseh, Cris taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and chaperoned many UMYF activities. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt. Cris was a friend to everyone, and had an infectious, memorable laugh that she wasn't afraid to share! Louise was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, older brother, George, and first son, Timmy. She is survived by two children, Vanessa Zimmermann (Gary) of Denver, Colorado, and Andy (Michelle) Tefertiller of Louisville, Kentucky. Cris had six grandchildren, Tyler and Annalise Zimmermann and Drew, Lauren, Zach, and Jessica Tefertiller, and two great-grandchildren, Avery and Vivienne Zimmermann. Special friend, Glen Cowart, a sister, Patricia (Neal) Doss, a number of nieces and nephews, and many friends will miss her immeasurably. Never wishing for her death to be mourned, Cris wanted a celebration of her life instead. A celebration of life luncheon and sharing of memories will be held Saturday, June 29, in the Fellowship Hall of Wesley United Methodist Church in Shawnee, Oklahoma, from 11:00 to 1:00p.m.. To commemorate Cris's fervent love of animals'and as her express wish--gifts are requested to the nearest Humane Society or Dumb Friends League location. She will be missed by so many, but remain 'as endless as always' in our hearts and memories.