Mary Milburn

Mary Elizabeth Milburn, Chandler, Oklahoma, resident was born August 6, 1954, in Knoxville, Tennessee, and departed this life November 7, 2018, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at the age of 64 years. Mary was the daughter of Raymond Bertram Shepard and Wanda Ruth (Manuel) West. After high school, she attended East Central University, where she studied vocal music education. She married Lee Roy Milburn on March 16, 1973, in Ryan, Oklahoma. In a teaching career spanning four decades, she taught mainly in Chandler, but also in Oklahoma City, Wellston, and Killeen, TX. She also gave private voice, piano, and guitar lessons. She was a member of Chandler United Methodist Church, where she contributed greatly through her musical talents. Generations of students remember Mary as the beloved teacher who brought music into their lives. She had a gift for helping even students who thought of themselves as musically-challenged find their voice, and she could make a good singer great. She knew how to challenge and push her students to be their best and to see more in themselves. Both her boisterous, joyful laughter and her love of music were contagious. Mary genuinely cared for her students, often offering wisdom and guidance during the difficult years of youth and staying part of her students’ lives long after. She used her talents at crafting and jewelry making to express herself and to show her love for those around her. Everyone she taught has a story about a gift she gave or a piece of advice she offered. Many, many people credit Mary with deepening their love of music in a way that forever changed them. There is more beauty in the world because of her. Her father, and grandparents preceded Mary in death. Survivors include, her husband of 45 years, Lee Roy Milburn of the home; two sons and daughters-in-law, Bradford and Kendra Milburn of Peachtree City, Georgia, Christopher and Sarah Milburn of Astoria, New York; mother and step-father, Wanda and Ken West of Shawnee, Oklahoma; two sisters, Pamela Dean of Ringwood, Oklahoma, and Deborah Duncan of Quanah, Texas; three grandchildren, Ethan, Olivia, and Sloane; other relatives and many friends.