Mary Douglass

Mary U Ollie Douglass passed away on October 31, 2017. She was born May 1, 1925 in Lake City, Arkansas, the daughter of Frank and Alice Gregson.

Preceding in her death was her husband, Ray E. Douglass, parents, and brothers, Franklin Gregson and Gerald Gregson.
She is survived by daughter, Pamela Babb, son David Douglass, daughter, Teresa Johnston, daughter, Cynthia Eubanks, daughter, Reina Douglass and son Chris Douglass along with sisters, Thelma Meharg and Ruth Coleman and brothers, Tommy Gregson and William Gregson, along with a eleven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and a host of cousins.

What can I say? Momma Ollie's story

Ollie loved to tell stories of her life and she shared many over the years. She wrote down stories and even kept many a journal. She told about growing up in rural Arkansas with a large family. Mary U. Ollie Gregson was born on May 1, 1925. Her parents were Frank and Alice Gregson. She loved her brothers and sisters: Clifford, Frank Jr., Gorden, Franklin, Thelma, Ruth, Pete, Tommy & William. Part of Ollie's strong faith came from her father, Brother Frank Gregson, a Southern Baptist preacher. He owned a welding plant in Jonesboro, Arkansas - his main occupation, but he'd rather be preaching and teaching the Gospel. Ollie learned how to feed a crowd and how to sew from her mother. She talked about her grandmothers, Ma Gregson and Ma Tice and some of the things she learned from them growing up. Among some of Ollie's talents was bowling, unbeknownst to her parents. It was considered un-lady like conduct to hang out in pool halls and bowling alleys. She must have gone there pretty frequently because she became a pretty good bowler in her day.

Ollie loved an adventure and took some early train trips with Ma Tice. One trip took her to Flint, Michigan where she moved and began working for Sears & Roebuck. Ollie told a funny story of how she met Ray Douglass at a roller skating rink in Flint. She saw him and declared that she would someday marry him. (It didn't matter that he was actually on a date that night with someone else.) Well one thing led to another and Ollie and Ray left that skating rink together that very same evening. And so it was, they married at the home of Ray's parents in Flint on October 9, 1946. It was the trend for soldiers to hold onto a parachute for their upcoming bride. Ollie too created her gown out of a military silk parachute.

She and Ray lived in Flint until Ollie became pregnant with their first child. Ollie was determined that she needed to be near her own mother when she had her baby. And so, Ray and his brother, Ed, drove Ollie from Michigan back to Jonesboro, Arkansas. Ollie was eight months pregnant when Ray had to return to Michigan due to his job. He was only gone a few days when Ollie gave birth prematurely to Pamela Ann on February 4, 1948. The news had Ray leaving his job and moving to Arkansas.

Ray worked for Grandfather Gregson in his plant for a while and then the electric company as a lineman and also attended Arkansas State. A funny story about Ray while going back to school was when he joined a Fraternity. Story has it, that to join one could not be married. So, Mom and Dad kept it a secret and pretended that they were only dating. Ollie was also working at Arkansas State while Grandmother cared for their baby, Pam. On one occasion, Ray had been asked by a girl to go to a dance. He told Ollie about it and she insisted that he had to go, just to keep up the appearances. She was confident in their love, that she was not the least bit concerned. Later, when it was revealed that Ray and Ollie were indeed married and had a child, a lot of their school friends were appalled. They celebrated an anniversary in Arkansas where they decided to pick cotton to raise enough funds to go to a movie and out to dinner that same day. Turns out that by the time they got to the movie after they had eaten, they were both so tired from the day's work that they fell asleep during the movie.

Ray joined the military and was sent to Korea. Ollie stayed near her folks in Jonesboro while Ray was overseas. When it was time for Ray to return home, she learned that he had some health concerns and that he would be shipped home to California. Ollie once again with her determination drove her new Studebaker across country, on the famous Route 66 with Pam in tow, stuck to her side the whole trip. Ray arrived a little later than anticipated, but Ollie waited it out and found a job at a ranch that included a bedroom for them to stay.

That was the beginning of Ray and Ollie's military life as Ray began his career in the Army with missile artillery training. Moving around became their way of life. Ray was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas before heading back to Michigan to be stationed at the Air Force Base near Detroit. Pam was an only child for several years and prayed nightly for a brother or sister. Answered prayers it was, David Duane was born May 29, 1954 at Selfridge Air Base. They lived closer to Ray's parents then, who still lived in Flint. Several visits were made with Ray's folks and his brother, Uncle Ed's family. The family moved from a small trailer to the air base as soon as quarters became available. Ray was reassigned to a missile sight, (many were hidden in the unknown rural areas across the country). It was while the family lived in Algonac, Michigan, another one of Pam's prayers was answered. The red head, Teresa Alice was born September 23, 1957. And yes, thank you Lord for Tessie.

The family moved from one small town to the other. Ollie always taught her kids to look at each move as an adventure. Such as life itself - no place was like the last place. The Douglass Clan learned to accept changes, make new friends wherever we lived and become real Army Brats. They moved to Pleasant Hill, Missouri where child number four, Cynthia Rae, was born in Kansas City, Missouri on March 20, 1959. And Ollie would say "Thank you Lord." The days of the historical Cuban missile crisis occurred and we lived in a very frightening time. There were moments Ray was called on duty and he would be gone for several days and we all knew what it meant. Concern was in the air, but Ollie made sure her family stood strong through their faith. People of faith prayed hard those days.

From Missouri, the family moved to the wheat fields of Kansas. At first living in Olathe and then the folks found a farm to rent near Spring Hill, Kansas. Ray had a longing to work on a farm and he was able to do just that along with his Army career. Mom could up and move, if it was the heart's desire of her husband. And it was while living at the farm, that Reina Sue was born. Again, thank you Lord! The family was involved in tending to the farm chores. Ollie loved growing flowers and doing whatever she could to make their house a home.

Ray was then given the opportunity to move to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. They left the farm behind and moved into the old fort's military quarters on the second floor. They lived across from the fort's hospital and beside the historical cemetery - quite a contrast. It was the second time the family lived in military quarters since 1954 at Selfridge Air Force Base in Michigan. Ollie was ready and willing to make the move and quickly settled in. She made curtains of burlap for the many large windows and high ceilings. Sounds crazy, but people complimented her on those simple styled window treatments. They acquired another family member, Aunt Ruthie moved in for a time. They were all delighted and she was like a big sister. Pam graduated from high school in June of 1966 and Christopher Robin was born that same month. Thank you Lord for surprise additions of Ruthie and Chris.

The next adventure and move was indeed a big one. Ray received a transfer to Okinawa in 1967. He flew overseas ahead of the family and waited for family quarters. So, Ollie and kids stayed for six months in El Paso, Texas. The family was there because Ray had done some training again at Fort Bliss just prior to his transfer. All the family had to get multiple vaccines prior to moving to the Far East. Memories are still too clear about the pain and agony of the symptoms of those shots to the younger siblings. Ollie stood by and nursed them all while she herself felt ill. A move to a faraway place involved putting most of the belongings in storage. Mom had a few things shipped to Okinawa. One important item was Ray's Wurlitzer organ. Not much else was shipped, even the family car was sold.

A funny story about the family's trip to Okinawa involved a stopover in Los Angeles to visit Grandmother and Grandfather Gregson. It was planned to stay over and visit Disneyland, which was a big deal for the kids. It was a great time, but it was time that was totally against us as we approached traffic heading to the airport. A Police Officer pulled the car over and once he heard we were in a rush to the airport, he gave us a royal police escort. Quick goodbyes were shared, then it was a quick dash to the gate to catch their flight. The plane was in holding for this family of six children and mother. The four older kids ran ahead as Mom carried Chris and held Reina by the hand following us as quickly as she could. Once on board, all the passengers and crew stood up and applauded the family. One gentleman, said "give that lady a cocktail - a double!" The stewardess took Chris from Mom's arms and everyone helped get the Army family settled into their seats for take-off. Let the adventure begin, with a determined Mother of six children!

Okinawa was like nothing experienced before as a family. There was a little Okinawan lady, Yoshiko, sitting at the door steps waiting for them. She told Mom she would work for her and she seemed even more delighted to see six kids with her. Ray bought an old Volkswagen Beetle, which sounds practical for gas on a small island, but not the least practical for hauling a family eight. What a sight they were when they pulled up for church and all got out of that little vehicle. They were crunched in, but it worked. While in that faraway place, one more member was added to the Douglass Clan. Pam met Lt. George Babb and they married December 21, 1968 in what was a lovely Christmas military wedding. Ollie handmade Pam's wedding gown that was enhanced with hand sewn beading detail. She also made bridesmaids gowns of red velvet for the three younger girls. Ollie excelled in studying her handbook for the Military Wife and made sure everything was done according to military protocol. She was very involved in the Army Wives club. She was quite a lady with many talents.

Leaving Okinawa meant planning ahead for Ray's retirement. While stationed in Okinawa both his parents had passed away. He had made some trips back to Michigan to finalize the family estate. His final military assignment took the family back to Michigan. Ollie and Ray prepared for retirement and to move to Arkansas. They purchased a farm, Douglass Green Acres, in Sheridan, Arkansas. Ray, as always had the total support from Ollie to finally live his dream of owning a farm. The whole family worked hard to keep it going with cattle, pigs and crops. Ollie took on a side job working for the State Agriculture Dept. to help make ends meet. The family was active in the Methodist Church and always sat together in the front row. Ollie would have everyone's clean and pressed clothes laid out the night before, so heading to church was an organized effort. One more member joined the clan, her name is Zaneta. She was an exchange student from Yugoslavia. Thank you, Lord. Angela Marie, first born grandchild entered the world in 1974. We give Angie credit for Ollie's new name: "Momma Ollie!" It was far better than being called granny or grandma. Well name stuck and was then carried on by many other grandchildren. It was unfortunate that Douglass Green Acres felt the collapse of the pig market. The folks sold the farm and moved into town.

The restlessness of moving like gypsies brought them years later to settle in Rogers, Arkansas in a small retirement community. Over the years there were major events: David married Mary, Teresa married David Johnston, Cynthia married Kevin Eubanks, Reina married David Merritt, and Chris married Marjac. And there were many births of Grandchildren, eleven total. Ollie's parents and some of her siblings died, some family members divorced, children remarried, grandchildren married and then there were nine great-grandchildren to date (one on the way). So much history in such a short time. Sadly, none of this would be remembered by Ray as he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, but Ray held onto the memory of Ollie.

When Ray died, Ollie decided to move back to Little Rock near her brothers, sisters and several children. It was decided soon afterwards that Chris and Kim would provide for her needs by having her move into their home. It was during one Christmas; Ollie lost her eyesight and became totally dependent on others. That became the challenge for her and others caring for her. It was Ollie's determination again to fight hard to keep moving forward, to continue to be brave regardless of what came her way and she never wanted pity from others. She was profoundly proud and strong - a feisty old lady to live to be 92 years of age. Who thought she'd live that long? Surely not her doctors or those closest to her. She fought the hard fight to stay among us, determined.

Ollie was always looking forward to the next event, gathering, holiday, a Gaither Concert, wedding, birth or trip to the beach. She loved her large family and she was so proud of each one. She loved the many adventures in life. She fought hard to stay among us for as long as she did. Goodbyes were always hard for the Douglass family. Our matriarch's greatest adventure now awaits her in heaven. It will be like nothing she has ever experienced or imagined. Her favorite scripture was John 3:16, "God so loved the world." God has certainly loved Ollie and now she is in His loving arms, the arms of Jesus Christ. We like to imagine that she is among those loved ones who have gone before us - all those family and friends. And it is comforting to think that she will be there to greet us up there. Heaven won't be so strange or hard to imagine for us because she will be there. We have been blessed to have Ollie among us. We say "Thank you Lord. Thank you Lord. Thank - you - Lord!"

My Mother's Prayer:

I never can forget the day
I heard my mother kindly say;
You're leaving now my tender care,
Remember child, your mother's prayer.

I never can forget the voice
that always made my heart rejoice;
Tho' I have wandered, God knows where,
Still I remember mother's prayer.

Tho years may go, I can't forget
Those words of love - I hear them yet.
I see her by the old arm-chair,
My mother dear, in humble prayer.

When-e'er I think of her so dear,
I feel her gentle spirit near;
A voice comes floating on the air
Reminding me of mother's prayer.

Oh, praise the Lord for saving grace;
We'll meet up yonder face to face;
The home above together share,
In answer to my mother's prayer
Hymn from The Broadman Hymnal

Words by JW VanDeVenter

In lieu of flowers, we request donations to be given to Ollie's Garden Memorial Fund, which will be used to plant a garden or tree in her memory. Memorials may be to Kindred Hospice of Arkansas, 10800 Financial Centre Pkwy. #380, Little Rock, Arkansas 72211.

Celebration of Ollie's life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, November 5 at Lakewood United Methodist Church, 1922 Topf Road, NLR, Arkansas.