Rebecca "Marie" Buster

Rebecca Marie Buster, age 84, passed away on Sunday, March 3, 2024 at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Marie was born on October 19, 1939, in Hulbert, Oklahoma to Ahniwake (Chuculate) and O.T. Webb. She was their only daughter and grew up with six brothers. At the age of 4, Marie and her family moved to Porter, Oklahoma where she attended Springhill and Porter schools, graduating high school in 1956.

Marie met and married Jerry “Shoat” Buster, and they made their home in Porter for many years as they raised their five children. During this time, she began working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Muskogee, Okla., and was employed there for 17 years before transferring to the Tulsa District-U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, where she worked for 21 years. A hard worker and dedicated employee, Marie completed 38 years of government service before retiring in September 2005. After retirement, Marie soon realized that she missed the social interaction that work had provided, so she took on part-time work as a way to meet new people, creating a whole new group of friends.

In 2007, Marie and Shoat moved to Stillwater, Okla., and their home quickly became the place for family to gather for holiday and birthday celebrations, or weekend visits. She enjoyed family get-togethers, old movies, Gunsmoke reruns, OSU and Thunder basketball games, and visiting with her best friend, Lynda. But most of all, she enjoyed drives with Shoat to explore, dine out, and shop.

To her family and friends, Marie was known for her quick wit and sense of humor. She had the unique gift of connecting with others and creating long-lasting friendships. Her clever responses brought laughter to an entire room, and her zest for life endeared her to others.

There was no generational gap with her grandchildren because time spent with Grandma was entertaining and included a delicious roast and chocolate cake waiting for them when they arrived. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, supportive of the children’s interests and would often state, “my house is your house.”

With the loss of her husband and as her health declined, Marie became a source of inspiration due to her determination to carry on and participate in all that she could.

The family will miss her presence beyond measure, but are grateful that they were blessed with a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who displayed tremendous courage, strength, and most of all, unconditional love.

Her memory will be forever treasured.

Marie was predeceased by her parents, Ahniwake Webb and O.T. Webb; her siblings Wayne, John, Thomas, Denny, Willard, and Jack; and her husband of 63 years, Shoat Buster.

She is survived by her five children-Brent (Sharon) Buster of Porter, OK; Susan (Danny) Wheeler of Bristow, OK; Cheryl (Mike) McCormick of Mounds, OK; Karen (John) Van Leeuwen of Ft. Worth, TX; and Sharon Bays of Stillwater, OK; eight grandchildren-Krystal Markwardt, Leisha Buster, Lauren McCormick, Lacey (Kevin) Hart, Lydia (Miles) Dixon, Ryan Van Leeuwen, Kate Van Leeuwen, and Luke Bays; and five great-grandchildren-Aspen Chance, Adley Hart, Blake Stamps, Graham Dixon, and Porter Dixon.  

Services celebrating Marie’s life will be at 1 p.m. on Monday, March 11, 2024 at First Baptist Church in Porter, OK. Marie will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband at Greenwood Cemetery in Porter, OK.

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