Ethel Margaret ”Maggie” Overholser was born at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on January 10, 1940, to Ethel Margaret (Cope) and Edward Graham McClain Overholser, Jr. Maggie was the last Overholser born in the line of early Oklahoma City pioneer Henry Overholser and his son, former OKC Mayor, Edward Overholser. She was raised in Edmond, Oklahoma, and had great memories of living in the country in the Fisher Hills addition and attending primary school in the North Tower of Central State College (now the University of Central Oklahoma). She continued her education in Edmond, graduating as an Edmond High School Bulldog. She was involved in Rainbow, a DeMolay sweetheart, and a high school cheerleader. Miss Overholser attended college at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma where she met her future husband, Scott Russell. They were married at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City on June 20, 1959, and started their married life in Kansas City, Kansas while Scott attended dental school. Their first daughter, Megan, was born there. After dental school, they moved to Scott's hometown of Altus, Oklahoma. Their second daughter, Kristen, was born in Altus and Maggie set up home and raised her family there. She participated in PEO, Beta Mother’s Club, Aldonian Club, and served as a K.A.Y. Club sponsor. As a couple, they supported local, regional, and state dental groups, served in numerous volunteer roles at the First United Methodist Church, and were members of the Southern Prairie Library board. They were Altus High School sports boosters and attended Oklahoma State University football and basketball games as often as possible. Scott and Maggie were members of the Hick's Mountain Cabin Association and loved spending weekends there with their daughters and hosting friends. Maggie began working at Terri's Boutique when the girls were teenagers. She quickly moved to the role of manager and assistant buyer. She often put together style shows and gave programs at various women clubs on color consulting, fashion trends, friendship, and
her pioneer family's Oklahoma roots. After retirement they returned to Stillwater to be close to their daughters, grandchildren, and of course OSU. Maggie was fortunate to have made many lifelong friends in Altus, through their long association with OSU, and the couple's dentist connections. The couple was also fortunate to add many new friends after retiring in Stillwater; however, Maggie forever missed her Altus “Coffee Club” and “Dinner Club” friends.
Maggie is preceded in death by her parents, in-laws Dr. Clyde and Maude Marie Russell, and a brother- in-law, Dr. Rex Russell.
The legacy she leaves are her daughters, Megan and husband GT Moody, and Kristen and husband Kenny Josey, all of Stillwater; three grandchildren: Daireth Klein (Matt) of Phoenix,
Arizona; Ryan Josey (Kate) of Germantown, Tennessee; Kiley Josey of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and five great-grandchildren: Katlynn "Katy" Roldan (Alex); Madelynn "Maddy", Irelynn, and Tatum Klein; and Logan Josey. She is also survived by her cousin Judy Colovin's family, and sister-in-law, Judy Russell and nephews, Rodney Russell and Randy Russell.
The family wishes to thank all of the wonderful caregivers and other staff members at Primrose Assisted
Living and Legacy Village Memory Care in Stillwater who have lovingly cared for Maggie during her Alzheimer's journey. They are angels on earth that gave her life brightness during a dark and confusing time.
Memorial donations may be made by designating support for the Overholser Mansion through the
Oklahoma Historical Society or Preservation Oklahoma; or the First United Methodist Church building fund in Altus.
A private family inurnment will be held at Fairlawn Cemetery, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at a later date.
Services have been entrusted to Lowell - Tims Funeral Home and Crematory, Altus, Oklahoma.
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