Mary Jane Lessly

Mary Jane Lessly was born in Gainesville, Texas on April 11, 1927, to Walter Overton Mauldin and Kate Gertrude (Pitman) Mauldin and passed away April 16, 2025, at the age of 98. She was the youngest of 11 children. At the age of 3, she and her family moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Two years later her father passed away and the children had to work together with her mom to provide for their needs during the Great Depression. This tragedy brought hardship but created a closeness that continued through their lifetime.

During World War II, Mary Jane and 3 of her sisters sang popular songs on the radio. It was at that time her mother contacted Will Rogers army base in Oklahoma City and arranged for transportation for Mary Jane, her sisters and friends to go to the dances on the base. The Mauldin Sisters would occasionally sing at those dances

After the war, Mary Jane worked at her brother’s restaurant as a cashier when she met the love of her life, Charles David Lessly. They married on June 7, 1947.

Mary Jane was completely committed to her family and church. She and Charlie created and established a home life that was grounded in their faith and love. She taught her children to love and respect each other and to appreciate their many blessings. She was always focused on her family - supporting and encouraging Charlie’s business endeavors and nurturing her children’s interests and talents.

Mary Jane was an avid football fan and she and Charlie had season tickets to OU football for over 45 years. She was always up for watching college or pro football on TV. She also enjoyed being a volunteer with Meals on Wheels Oklahoma City.

She was survived by her four children, David Lessly (Patsy) of Oklahoma City, Kent Lessly (Sylvia) of Swarthmore, PA, Janet Turnage (John W) of Little Elm, Texas, and Mary Ann Hanshue (Gary) of Moore, Oklahoma; five grandchildren, Chad Lessly, Kevin Lessly (Rebecca), Paige Dillard (Marc), Conor W. Turnage (Chloe), and Benjamin Kennedy (Christine); four great-grandchildren, Halie, Hannah, Max Lessly and Chase Dillard. She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Charles, and grandson Cameron Lessly.

In lieu of flowers, you can make donations to Meals on Wheels Oklahoma City, 222 W. 15th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73103 or visit www.mealsonwheelsokc.org.