March 22, 1939 – January 26, 2023
Marcia was born in Ottawa County, Oklahoma on March 22, 1939. She was the eighth of twelve children. She graduated from the Fairland, Oklahoma High School in 1956, then moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma where she attended a business school, after which she was hired by the Prudential Insurance Company District Office, eventually becoming the assistant manager. She was employed at the Prudential company office when she was introduced to Reverend Larry Becker by a mutual friend. Less than six months later she and Reverend Becker were married. Together they made their first home in Sand Springs, where Reverend Becker was the pastor of a Methodist Church. While still living in Sand Springs their first child, Suzanne, was born. Later, while living in Carnegie, Oklahoma, where Larry was a pastor, their second child, Karen, became a member of our family. Several years later, when Larry had been assigned to the Poteau United Methodist Church, they were blessed with the birth of their third daughter, Alicia.
Marcia enjoyed cooking for her family; working crypto quotes, sudoku, and jigsaw puzzles. She also liked to travel and was an avid walker. During the girls' childhood and teenage years, Marcia devoted her time to maintaining a welcoming and clean home, caring for the girls, and volunteering at church and with organizations such as Mobile Meals. She enjoyed sewing and made many dresses for the girls. Once the girls were adults, Marcia worked part-time at Sears Company in Oklahoma City. She was a loving and devoted pastor's wife who never complained about being such or about the many moves they made during Larry's ministry. After Larry and Marcia retired the highlights of their years were their many trips to various states and countries as well as doting on and caring for their grandkids. Marcia's most favorite times were when the entire family was together, cooking huge meals, reminiscing about earlier years and playing games late into the evening. She also treasured gathering with her birth family, the Lemasters, at their annual reunion. She was a humble, gentle and caring person who was always calm and stable regardless of the circumstances. Although she has suffered from cognitive issues for the last 7 to 8 years, she continued to want to share gifts of sweets, such as cookies, cake, etc. up until near the time of her death. She also often gave hugs to her caregivers in the Memory Care unit at Epworth Villa.
Marcia is survived by her husband, Larry, her three daughters, Suzanne Becker, Karen (Chris) Howell, and Alicia (John) Schneider; three grandchildren, Grace (Max) Stockinger, Andy Schneider, and Sam Schneider; two sisters, Mary Brock and Phyllis Mann; one brother, Mike Lemaster, and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held in the Brill Chapel at Epworth Villa in Oklahoma City on Monday February 6 th , 2023, beginning @ 2pm and interment will take place later in the Hickory Grove Cemetery near Grove, Oklahoma.