Mae Frances “Pancey” McRee

Graveside services for Mae Frances McRee (everyone knew her as “Pancey”), a Coalgate resident, were held Monday, March 8, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Bethany Cemetery, Bethany, OK with Dr. Phillip Kenedy officiating, assisted by Rev. Marcus Whitworth and Rev. Ken Brown. Visitation was Sunday 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Brown’s Funeral Chapel in Coalgate, OK.

Pancey was born August 13, 1925 to Currie A. and Una Mae (Comstock) McRee at Beaumont, TX and passed away March 2, 2021 at her home in Coalgate at the age of 95 years, 6 months and 17 days.

Pancey graduated from Houma High School in Houma, Louisiana in 1943 and attended Bethany Peniel College, Drawns Business College and Oklahoma University Business College. She worked at Tinker Air Force Base for 2 years and transferred to McAlester Ammunition Plant where she worked as head of the Computer (Data Processing) Department for 28 years. She worked for the US Air Force, US Navy and US Army and retired from Civil Service in 1976 at the age of 51.

Pancey was of the protestant faith and was a charter member of Church of the Nazarene in Coalgate. She was a member of the Music Club and Business Professional Women’s Club for many years. In 1980 she volunteered to assist in establishing the Regional Office of the Church of Nazarene for the Asia Region in Manila, Philippines. She volunteered as a missionary at the Visayan Nazarene Bible College, Philippines from 1981-1985 and established the College’s Music evangelism ministry group called the “Singing Travelers.” She and the Singing Travelers served as official ambassadors of the Bible College and held revival and evangelistic services all over the Philippines. Upon returning home Pancey taught rudiments of music and piano to many. She managed the Commons Building and the mail room of Southern Nazarene University, Bethany, OK for 5 years. She loved camping, gardening and she was an avid reader. Pancey loved the Lord with all her heart and she loved life.

Survivors include her daughter Rhoda Montecastro of Coalgate; her Singing Travelers “Kids”, Rev. Jun Montecastro and wife Annie Jean, Esther Montecastro, Dr Gilbert Montecastro, Rev. Edmund Matulac and wife Eulesa, Pastor Asa Deocampo, Rev. Norman Bayogos, Allan Roy Prochina and Pastor Ernie Balayo, all of the Philippines; three nieces, Rebecca Levine, Colleen Bogel and Marsha Alison McRee; a nephew, Brian Jackson and any dear friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Currie A. and Una Mae McRee; brother Currie A. McRee, Jr.; sister, Carol Leah Jackson and two nephews.

Casketbearers were Rodger Wilson, Jack Wilson, Roy Mason and Bensley.