Marylee Carnett

Ringling - Marylee (Diffenderffer) Carnett, was born on April 6, 1919, in Lebanon, Missouri to John L. Diffenderffer and Mabel Young Diffenderffer, the eighth of nine children. She crossed over in peace, surrounded by loving family and caregivers on Wednesday, July 11, 2018, at her home in Ringling at the age of 99 years and 96 days. Celebration of Life services are scheduled for 10:00 A.M. Monday, July 16, 2018 at the First United Methodist Church in Ringling with Rev. John Marks, Rev. Glynn Baker and family officiating. Services are under the direction and care of Alexander Funeral Home and Crematory of Ringling, Oklahoma.

Marylee attended Lebanon High School, where she participated in home economics, drama, and music activities. In her junior year, she took the lead role in the school operetta. In her senior year, she was crowned Queen of the annual Lebanon May Day Festival. After graduating, she completed Business School and was immediately hired as secretary to the Lebanon High School Principal.

In 1940, Marylee met Eddie Carnett at the LaClede County Fair, and they married on November 29 of that same year. During Ed’s baseball career, Marylee held down the home front with their three children, supporting them in school and church activities, parenting with kindness and discipline, and always letting them know that they were valued and loved. An accomplished seamstress, she made clothing for herself and two daughters – everything from nightclothes to wedding dresses. A few of her creations still exist and are wearable today.

Marylee and Ed lived in Burlington, Iowa for several years after he retired from baseball, and she returned to work as administrative secretary, this time for the Principal of Burling High School. During part of this time, Ed managed the Burlington Golf Club, where he and Marylee shared their enjoyment of playing golf and dancing. She loved to play Bridge, both in a women’s Bridge group and with Ed in couples Bridge games.

In 1978, Marylee and Ed retired to Lebanon, Missouri, where they continued to enjoy golf, playing couples Bridge, and fellowship of the Baptist faith. Their last move was in 2007 to Ringling, Oklahoma, to live near the family of their daughter, Suzanne, who provided them with the ideal combination of family support and independent living.

Preceding Marylee in crossing were her Parents; husband, Edwin E. Carnett; brothers-in-law Charles Boyd Carnett and Bill Grindstaff; nephew Michael Taylor, and her eight siblings: Brothers William, Frederick, Laughton, Edward, and Harry Diffenderffer; and sisters Dorothy Weaver, Judith Smith, and Jane Yates.

Surviving family include daughter Carol Carnett and husband Ray Williamson of Cortez, CO; daughter Suzanne Pogue and husband Don Pogue of Ringling, OK; son James E. Carnett and wife Cathy Carnett of Tulsa, OK; sister-in-law Maxine Grindstaff of Chelsea, Minnesota; four grandchildren: Tanya Taylor, Heather Sowards and husband Jeff, Cody Pogue and wife Tara, and Jim Ed Pogue and wife Kandy; ten great-grandchidren: Kaytlin, Karli, Kamryn, Cole, Anna, Ruthie, Caleb, Drew, Paisly, and Blake; as well as numerous family and friends.

Marylee was a graceful, intelligent, vibrant woman with a delightful sense of humor, a strong belief in perseverance and commitment, and a quiet, unshakable faith.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Jim Ed Pogue, Jeff Sowards, Ray Williamson, Don Pogue, Charles Ray Pogue, Rick Lewis, Cody Pogue, and James Carnett.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Stacy Clough, Glynn Baker, Tony Apala, Ricky Lewis and Mike Moore.

Visitation will be held Sunday from 2 to 4 P.M. at the Alexander Funeral Home Chapel in Ringling.

In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be sent to the Ringling Cross Timbers Hospice 207 C St NW Ardmore, OK 73401.

Online condolences may be sent to alexanderfuneralhome.org