
Mary Carol Chamlee was born November 28, 1942 to Will T. "Bill" Chamlee and Susie Alice "Sue" (Self) Chamlee in Cordell, Oklahoma. Her paternal grandparents, Carter and Flora Chamlee, lived in nearby, Dill City, and played a very active role in raising "Little Bill", as she was known by close friends. Both, her mother and father, were pharmacists and the owners of the Chamlee Drug in Cordell. It was the drug store where many of her memories of childhood were made. The old soda fountains that were in drug stores during those years, were wonderful places to go after school for milkshakes or to just hang out. Chamlee Drug was just that sort of place for Mary Carol and her friends. Chamlee Drug was also a big participant in the community and part time jobs were available to many of her friends or other students. Her parents boasted, it was all in "the plan" to keep a watchful eye on their little pride and joy. She grew up loved and happy. Mary Carol graduated High school in 1960 and went on to attend the University of Oklahoma. She became a member of the Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delta) sorority and loved making life-long friends. To no one's surprise, she graduated OU with a Pharmacy degree in 1965. It was around this time, she decided to go by her middle name, Carol. While at OU, she met her future husband, Cecil Gentner Drummond. He was attending OU's School of Law. Together they had three children, Susan Lorraine "Lori", Carolyn Blake, and Cecil Gentner Jr. "CG". Even though she and Cecil eventually terminated their marriage, they worked cohesively together to raise their three children. She also worked as a pharmacist at St Francis Hospital. After twenty three years with St Francis, she retired so she could tend to her parents as they aged. Family was very important to Carol. She made family her focus and priority. She desperately desired to be a part of her children's lives and enthusiastically enjoyed all of the events in their lives that made them smile. Coming from a small immediate family didn't equip her to juggle this lightly. She wouldn't let those she held near and dear get too far away or go too long before she was seeking them out to have a good long visit with a Coke and even a cigarette, if allowed. The grandchildren have wonderful memories of yearly trips to Branson, Missouri and Silver Dollar City. She talked football and basketball like any avid sports fan with her grandsons. She loved going to get pedicures and manicures with her granddaughters. She was her children's number one fan and advocated for them with a vengeance. She was a positive and encouraging force to be reckoned with when someone or anyone of her family was down. She also knew it was important she prepare her children for the future and that Jesus Christ is our only savior from certain judgement and she stressed the importance of living a life for Him. Carol passed from this life on Sunday, October 16, 2016 at her home in Tulsa at the age of 73 from a Parkinsonian condition called Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). She will be missed, but never ever forgotten. Her love lives on. Carol is survived by her children, Lori and Brent Brewer of Oklahoma City, OK; Carolyn Blake Drummond Leary of Tulsa, OK and CG Drummond of Bixby, OK and 5 grandchildren; Ashton Marie Leary, Allison Brianne Leary, Blaine Warren Brewer, Blair Thomas Brewer and Blevin Carter Brewer. The memorial service will be held 10:00 A.M. Saturday, October 22, 2016 at Park Plaza Church of Christ, 5925 E. 51st Street. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation, www.michaeljfox.org or The Multiple System Atrophy Coalition, www.multiplesystematrophy.org
Carol, It was an honor to serve you and be your care giver at Montereau. You were the most loving and kind lady. Love always
Candace Bible
I am so sorry to read of Carol’s death. I loved her from afar and will miss hearing about her.
Roger Bayless
So sorry to hear of your loss. I attended school and Church with her
Arlene Vanderveer
Teenagers tend to be rather self-indulgent. But, due to our unique backgrounds, Mary Carol and I formed a relationship in which we elevated the performance of each other and celebrated the achievements of each other more than our own. It enabled us to derive a focus on the future that provided the foundation for how we approached the rest of our lives. Had it not been for that relationship and the support and guidance that I received from her parents, I doubt that I would have thought college might be in my future. I remain intensely proud of the loyal relationship that we shared and of her rise to a life worth celebrating.
Daniel M. Zellmer, Ph.D,
I grew up with Mary Carol in Cordell and have found memories of her, she was caring, beautiful and fun loving. She will be missed by all who new her.
Gary Clevenger
Mary Carol was such a beautiful person. I have such fond memories of her at church and school. I'm so sorry for you loss
Patty K Doran
I could write a book on all the hours spent with your mom and all 6 of our kids. I think the best stories could be told by you guys. Keep your memories close to your heart.
Carolyn Templeton
What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful lady. Aunt Carol was a role model of resilience. She was never daunted by any task set in front of her. When I was having difficulty finding my first medical job as an orderly, Aunt Carol made a call and somehow an interview came through -- leading to a summer job. She loved her family.
Jonathan
My deepest condolences to Mary Carol's family and friends. I was 4 years behind Mary Carol in school. She was a Senior at OU when I was a freshman and often gave me a ride to Norman or home to Cordell on holidays, for which I was most appreciative. Reading the comments about Chamlee Drug brought back many wonderful memories for me. Mary Carol's parents put up with kids taking up most of their booths and taking an hour or more to finish one Cherry Coke! My favorite story involved Bill, my Granddad and my dog. Late one evening , long after I'd gone to bed, my dog came home and was obviously very sick. Granddad called Bill and he and Bill determined the dog had been poisoned. Bill met my Granddad at the drug store and stayed up all night with my dog, administering different remedies for poison. Whatever they did worked and the dog survived. I was forever grateful to Bill Chamlee and my Granddad.
Sandi McCown Lipe