Mary Gay Oxley, 70

Funeral services for Mary Gay Oxley, 70, of Piedmont, Oklahoma, will be held at 10 a.m. today, Wednesday, Jan. 14, in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home chapel in Gainesville, with burial to follow in the Gainesville Cemetery. Officiating will be Wayne Stewart.

She died Jan. 5, 2026, due to complications from renal disease. She was born Nov. 15, 1955, to parents Roy Gerson (R.G.) Landers and Mary Ruth (McDonald) Landers. She grew up in Gainesville and often spoke fondly of her idyllic childhood.

Mary earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Missouri State University in Springfield and passed the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. After a brief period in the private sector, she returned to Missouri State University to complete a Master of Business Administration degree. Shortly thereafter, she began working in the accounting department at Drury College, where she later served as Chief Financial Officer for approximately 20 years.

Mary married her grade-school sweetheart, Ray Tharol Oxley. Due to Ray’s career, they lived in several communities, including those in Oklahoma, North Carolina, Texarkana and Arkansas, but they ultimately returned to Piedmont, Oklahoma. While living in North Carolina, Mary was honored as Volunteer of the Year in recognition of her many contributions to the community.

In Piedmont, Mary especially enjoyed spending time with her son, Britain Oxley, his wife, Shay Oxley, and her beloved grandchildren, Eli and Danica Oxley.

Mary will be deeply and fondly missed by all who knew her.

Mary is survived by her husband, Ray Oxley; her brother Stacy Landers and his spouse Linda; her sister Debbie Landers; her niece Shannan Robinson and her husband Andy; her nephew Christopher Newton and his spouse Bonnie; several great-nieces; one great-nephew; and many cousins whom she dearly loved.

She was preceded in death by her parents. 

Arrangements under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville.