Mary Ellen (Starr) Torres-Salazar

Mary Ellen (Starr) Torres-Salazar, 65, passed away on Friday, April 29, 2022 in Oklahoma City.

She was born December 24, 1956, to Theodore and Virginia Mae (White) Starr in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Mary was raised in Little Axe, Oklahoma and went to Boarding school in Lawton.  She has also lived in other Oklahoma towns: Norman, Purcell, Blanchard, Newcastle, and Oklahoma City.

She worked as a dry cleaning manager, seamstress, CNA and LPN nurse with special needs children, and also as a wound care tech.

Mary’s family and Tribal traditions were her passion. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were the focal point of her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and brother, Rance Starr             

Survivors include daughter, Meranda Starr of Oklahoma City; son, Antonia Rojas, Jr. of Oklahoma City; five sister and one brother-in-law, Cynthia White of Newalla, Brenda White Valdez of Little Axe, Avis Lewelling of Little Axe, Taree Renea Williams of Norman, Verna & Sam Dos Pappas of Sunrise, FL; two brothers & sister- in-Law, Thomas and Janet White of Shawnee, Edward “ Chuck” and Gloria White of Norman; 5 grandchildren, Cruzito Fuentez; Adriana and Elijah Elizondo; Olivia Starr; Tyler Nguyen; Ariana Starr; 2 great grandchildren Erron Elizondo and Jenniyah Elizondo, and many extended family and friends.

Tribal rites are being held, Sunday evening, May 1, 2022 at the Absentee Shawnee Community Center in Little Axe, Oklahoma. Burial will be Monday morning, May 2, 2022 at the White Family Cemetery in Little Axe, Oklahoma with George Blanchard officiating under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.