Mary Ruth Brisbin

Mary Ruth (Flinn) Brisbin, 84, passed away unexpectedly at her home in Bartlesville, OK on Sept 23, 2023. Mary was born the youngest of seven children in rural Newark, Arkansas on Nov 6, 1938 to Ernest Flinn and Mary (Jimerson) Flinn. She attended school in Newark, Arkansas, graduating in 1956. During high school, Mary was a class officer, participated in FHA, excelled at basketball all four years, and was on the yearbook staff her senior year. Her senior picture tagline said, “As friendly as friendly can be”. A favorite story among family is one in which she and a male classmate snuck to nearby Newport, Arkansas for a dance contest at The Silver Moon Club. They won the contest and the young singer who draped his arm over her shoulder and gave them the trophy was none other than a new up-and-coming artist by the name of Elvis Aaron Presley. After graduation, she and her brother Bill came to live with relatives, Earl and Elizabeth Battles, in Wann OK. She found work with Phillips Petroleum in the treasury department in Bartlesville. It’s here that she met her husband, Donald Brisbin. They married on October 11, 1957, spending 65 (almost 66) wonderful years together. After marrying, Don and Mary had three daughters: Terri, Crystal, and Sonya. In 1964, she began working for First National Bank in Bartlesville as the hours allowed her more time with their daughters. During her employment with First National Bank/WestStar/Arvest Bank, she served many roles. After 34 years she retired as a manager (1997) and promptly filled her free time with family, friends, and lots of reading. During her career with the bank, she attended banking school, served as Secretary and Board Member for the American Red Cross, volunteered as a tutor at Jane Phillips Elementary and taught banking classes at Tri-County Technology. In addition, she played competitively on the industrial league women’s basketball team for First National Bank. In her career she is remembered for the sincerity, kindness, and diligence that she demonstrated to her customers and coworkers. In retirement, she was able to travel to her ancestral home of Ireland as well as many family trips around the United States, the most recent being a 65th anniversary trip to Branson with Don and her two daughters. She is most known for her kindness, patience, and deep love for her family and friends. She absolutely loved playing checkers, attending sports games and functions, and baking with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed making every holiday and special occasion an event for the whole family. She was the epitome of “love everyone always” and accepted all to her home with a smile and lots of baked goods. Mary is survived by her husband of 65 years, Donald Brisbin, Bartlesville. Her daughters and sons-in law, Rene and Terri (Brisbin) Stefanopoulos of Bartlesville and Scott and Sonya (Brisbin) Reed of Bartlesville. Her grandchildren Devin (Brittany) Brisbin of Bristow OK, Amanda (Zach) Hudson of Skiatook OK, Sadie (Thad) Reed of Bartlesville, and Morgan Stefanopoulos of Bartlesville. Her nine great-grandchildren in order by age: Taigyn, Lakota, Matt, Trevor, Landon, Channing, Lincoln, Hayes, Lennox, and Kolt. Mary is also survived by her and Don’s life-long friends who are considered family, Leon and Frances Campbell of Bartlesville, Mary was preceded in death by her daughter, Crystal Dawn Brisbin, in 1977. Her parents (Ernest and Mary), four sisters (Ethel Dean, Ruby, Barbara, Merle) and two brothers (Buddy and Bill). She will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her, with her sweet, accepting, compassionate, and loving nature. Many happy memories will help sustain her loved ones during this hard time. If you have any memories you would like to share, please send a note to sreed1300@sbcglobal.net, as we would love to hear them. Visitation will be held Thursday, September 28, from 5pm until 8pm, at Stumpff Funeral Home and Crematory. A funeral service will be held Friday, September 29, at 1pm, at Stumpff Funeral Home and is under the direction of Stumpff Funeral Home and Crematory. To view the service via live-stream, please click the following link: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTY5NTkzNDU1NjI3Mzk1NiZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==

Mary Ruth Brisbin

November 6, 1938 - September 23, 2023