Mary Christine Mandrell

Mary Christine Albus Mandrell was born to Joseph and Victoria Albus on December 24, 1928, near Pep, Texas. She passed away peacefully at her home on August 12, 2026, at the age of 97. Christine was the eighth of ten children and was the last surviving member of her family of siblings.

Christine married William Carrell Mandrell in May of 1951. Following Carrell’s honorable discharge from the United States Army, the couple made their home north of Sentinel, Oklahoma. Together, they raised three children, Bill, Diane, and Cindy. Carrell and Christine also established a cotton harvesting business, which they operated together for several years.

Education was always a priority for Christine. She took great pride in seeing each of her children graduate from high school and go on to earn a college degree.

Christine was a talented seamstress and made many of the clothes worn by her three children. Her talents were especially evident when it came to weddings, as she made numerous dresses and accessories. Her daughters, Diane and Cindy, both had the special honor of wearing Christine’s wedding dress for their own weddings.

She was equally talented in the kitchen, and her family especially looked forward to her coconut cream pies, carrot cakes, and blueberry icebox pies, which they would lovingly say were “to die for.”

Christine was an avid walker and took great pride in her home and yard. Her lawn and hedges were always kept trimmed to perfection. She also enjoyed traveling and had the opportunity to travel extensively throughout the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Canada.

Above all, Christine was a devoted prayer warrior for her family and friends. Her faith was an important part of her life, and she was always there to offer encouragement to those she loved. One of her favorite words of encouragement was to “stay up in there,” a phrase her family and friends will fondly remember.

Christine is survived by her son, Bill Mandrell and partner Jodie Williams of Clinton; two daughters, Diane Engle and husband Lynn of Great Bend, Kansas, and Cindy Smith and husband Dr. John Smith of Hennessey, Oklahoma; grandsons, Auston Brown and wife Molly and Dustin Brown and wife Tara, all of Great Bend, Kansas; granddaughter, Dr. Jamie Wallace and husband Rowland of Fairview; and great-grandchildren, Gage Fritz, Spencer Brown, Wyatt Brown, Jase Wallace, and Paige Wallace.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children or to the charity of your choice.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at the First Baptist Church of Sentinel.

A private family burial will be held at South Burns Cemetery prior to the funeral service under the direction of Lee Hometown Funeral Home.