Funeral services for Grace E. Montgomery, 96, Fairview, will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, October 4, 2017, at the Cedar Springs Church of the Nazarene near Fairview, Oklahoma. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery. Arrangements are by Fairview Funeral Home Inc.

Grace Elsie Stricklan was born May 3, 1921, to Joseph Edmund and Elsie Estella (Schomp) Stricklan in Roger Mills County, Oklahoma, near Moorewood, and passed away September 29, 2017, in Seiling, Oklahoma.

She was raised with her three brothers and one sister near Moorewood, graduating from Leedey High School in 1938. Grace married her high school sweetheart, Loyd Mauldin, who was called to war fighting with the American Air Force. To this union a daughter, Helen Loyd, was born after his wartime death. Grace worked as a bank teller for the First National Bank of Clinton.

Grace met and married Ray B. Montgomery on August 23, 1948, in Clinton, Oklahoma, and moved to Fairview where Ray was employed by the Santé Fe Railroad. 1952 brought the addition of a son, Charles Joseph (C.J.). The family moved to Cedar Springs in 1968. Ray passed away in December of 1987. Grace continued to live on the farm at Cedar Springs until late last year. Since that time she resided at the Seiling Nursing Center.

Prior to Ray's death the couple raised cattle and didn't miss an antique auction within 100 miles of Fairview, sporting one of the finest private collections in the state.

Grace was a formidable spelling bee competitor later in life, competing numerous times at the state level.

Grace was an avid Oklahoma State Cowboys fan. She was a member of the Cedar Springs Church of the Nazarene where she held many positions but Church Secretary/Treasurer was the longest held. She was lovingly known as the Mayor of Cedar Springs. Grace was a true friend and mentor to the ladies of the church as well countless other people of all ages throughout her life. Everyone looked forward to her storytelling.

She is survived by her son, C.J. Montgomery of Woodward, Oklahoma, three grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Loyd and Ray, daughter, Helen, three brothers: Fuller, Roy and Frank, and her sister, Doris.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Cedar Springs Church of the Nazarene Classroom Building Fund with the funeral home acting as custodian of the funds.