Mary Elizabeth Preston

Mary Elizabeth Blosser Preston, daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and wonderful friend died restfully April 14, 2009. She was 91 years old, born February 15, 1918 to the Rev. Floyd A. Blosser and Ida Printz Blosser in Lynchburg, Va. She resided in her early years in Bedford and Luray, Virginia, graduating from Luray High School with honors. At seventeen, her family moved to Maryland where her father accepted the pastoral post at the Mountain Christian Church, and where Mary Lib met and married the love of her life, T. Tracey Preston. Their full and happy life in Maryland produced three children, Gary Keith Preston, Trudy Preston Sudberry, and Beverley Preston Rudolph and a host of wonderful friends and neighbors. Mary Lib was not only a great homemaker and excellent cook; she was a creative" working" mother who helped raise and educate their 3 children. She served as a Postmistress in Joppa, Maryland, was a floral designer at Richardson's Floral, and a room designer for Johnson's Ethan Allen furniture. She was an active volunteer, teacher, mentor, and friend at Mountain Christian Church and was the organist for the growing congregation for 35 years. At the age of 85, and after having lived in Maryland for 68 years, Mary moved to Muskogee, Oklahoma where she resided close to her youngest daughter and her family. She attended Memorial Christian Church and First Baptist Church while living in Muskogee. When Memorial Christian Church disbanded, Mary was honored to donate her portion of her stake in Memorial Christian to Muskogee Habitat for Humanity and help to build a home for a Muskogee family. Most recently, she resided at the Country Gardens Assisted Living.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Tracey Preston, her mother Ida Blosser and father Floyd Blosser, and her sister, Virginia Rufenacht.

She is survived and fondly remembered by her children, Gary and wife Jackie of Atlanta, GA, Beverley of Columbia, Maryland, and Trudy and husband B.P of Muskogee, Oklahoma. Her grandchildren include Mallie Preston and wife Michelle of Atlanta, GA, Jeffrey Preston and wife Reagan, of Atlanta, GA, Blake Sudberry and wife Tina of Ardmore, Oklahoma, Tracey Sudberry of Tulsa, OK. Mary leaves 6 great grandchildren; Hunter, Rylee, and Carter Sudberry of Ardmore, OK, Mekinnon, Merric, and Mason Preston of Atlanta. One great grandchild is expected by Jeff and Reagan in Atlanta. Mary also is survived by her sister Virginia's children, Mike, Greg, and Bonnie and their families, her sister-in-law Dorothy (Dot) Preston and her children Sharon and Diane and their families.

Bradley Funeral Service will be serving the family in Muskogee.

Memorial Gifts may be made to Mountain Christian Church, Joppa, Maryland.

When Mary left Maryland in 2004, she left with these words and leaves this life with them now. "God has blessed me in so many ways, but especially with the wonderful people (both young and old) that He has placed in my walk of life. With deep gratitude and Christian love, Mary Lib Preston."

To offer condolences to the family, please go to www.bradleyfuneralservices.com