1928 - 2026
A Celebration and Homegoing Service for Mary Estelle Belcher, age 98, of Enid, will be 10:00 am on Friday, November 13, at Westside Church of God in Christ with Bishop Derwin Norwood officiating. Burial will follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home and Crematory. Family will receive friends Thursday, November 12, from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the funeral home.
Mary was born February 20, 1928, in Cleo Springs, OK to Raymond Stevenson and Helen Ford, and passed away November 3, 2026, at her home in Enid. As a child, there was no money for babysitters; Mary had to stay with whites while Helen worked in the field. However, Blacks were not allowed to eat with Whites; her plate of food was often placed on the floor under the table where the dogs were fed. She graduated from Sapulpa High School in 1946. Mary married Martin Luther Belcher and he passed away June 4, 1992. As a young adult, Mary picked cotton in the summer at a rate of $5-$6 per day; average $3 per day; cotton was $2 per pound. Mary worked at the Youngblood Hotel making beds @ $0.40 per hour. They ate at a small table in the kitchen because Blacks couldn’t eat in the front or dining areas; a hot dog / bag a chips/bottle of pop sold for $0.25. She worked as a fry cook at various restaurants such as Navajo Drive-In and Skyline and Jakobi. She moved to Enid in 1947 and started a career at the Enid State School, retiring after 26 years. She worked there as a cook, butcher and caregiver at a cottage.
Mary enjoyed fishing and puzzles. She loved playing board games with her grandchildren. She was a great teacher, missionary and speaker. She served as secretary for a year on the Board of Trustees for West Side Ministry. The mayor gave her a “key to the city”. She loved her church of God and Christ, and was a servant for over 70 years, as a prayer warrior, and called many souls to Christ.
Mary is survived by her children, Kenneth Belcher, Calvin Belcher, David Belcher, Micheal Belcher, Sheila McConico, and Vannessa Johnson, 25 grandchildren, and three great and multiple great-great grandchildren. She cherished having five generations of family members.
She was preceded in death by her husband, two special grandsons Jerome Freeman and Michael Belcher.
Memorial contributions may be made to Westside Baptist Church of God in Christ in her memory. Condolences may be made online and the service may be viewed online at www.ladusauevans.com.
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