MARY NELL GROVES

ADA-Services for Mary Nell Groves, 73, Ada, are 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at the First Baptist Church, Dr. Pat Kilby, Revs. John Haynes and Harold Ware will officiate. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Mrs. Groves died Saturday, December 15, 2007 at an Oklahoma City hospital. She was born January 16, 1934 at the Ray City community, northwest of Konawa, Oklahoma to Carl C. and Gertie Jane Johnson Conn. She graduated from Excelsior High School, near Okemah in 1952. She received a degree in Elementary Education from East Central University.

She married Floyd S. Groves on February 25, 1955 at the First Baptist Church in Ada. Mrs. Groves was an elementary teacher for 44 years. Her first two years of teaching were at Galey and the remaining years have been at Vanoss, where she was Teacher of the Year for the school year 1989-1990. She was currently teaching at Vanoss Elementary School. She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Ada, where she taught Sunday school since the mid 1950's. Mrs. Groves was a member of the National Education Association, Oklahoma Education Association, International Reading Council, Oklahoma Reading Council and the Pontotoc County Reading Council, of which she was president in 1980-1981.

Survivors include her husband, Floyd S. Groves, of the home; one son, Steve Groves and wife Lisa, Ada; one daughter, Carla Kay Atkinson and husband Gregg, Oklahoma City, five grandsons, Justin Groves, Jonathan Groves, Matthew Groves, Mason Groves, and David Atkinson; and one brother, John D. Conn and wife Bettie, Seminole.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Jimmy Ray Conn and Jackie Clyde Conn.

Bearers will be Justin Groves, Jonathan Groves, Matthew Groves, Mason Groves, David Atkinson, and Gregg Atkinson.

The family says those who wish may make memorials to the Vanoss Library, c/o Vanoss Superintendent, 4665 CR 1555, Ada, OK 74820.

Criswell Funeral Home, Ada