Obituary of Marilyn Joan (Gassei) Carver

Marilyn Joan (Gassei) Carver was born August 2, 1934, in St. Louis, MO. to Russell William & Georgia Ena (Trader) Gassei and passed from this life on June 26, 2023, at the age of 88.

Marilyn graduated a year early from Northwest Classen High School in Oklahoma City. She then attended Wheaton College in Chicago Illinois where she studied violin and music performance. Marilyn began attending school at The University of Tulsa where she earned a Bachelor of Music & Music Education. Marilyn’s first teaching job was in Henryetta, Oklahoma. There she met and married Coach Richard Chapman and started a family. In 1963 Marilyn and her family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Once her children began school, she began to teach again. She taught music in the Tulsa Public School system at Nimitz Junior High and Nathan Hale High School in the 1960’s and 1970’s. During this time, in addition to her teaching duties and choir performances, Marilyn performed with the Tulsa Opera regularly. She was an active member of the Sigma Alpha Iota international Music Fraternity. Marilyn furthered her education by earning her Master of Music degree from The University of Oklahoma. In the early 1980’s, Marilyn taught at East Central High School and Owasso High School for short periods. Then Marilyn accepted a position at Oral Roberts University teaching vocal arts and conducting women’s chorus. Marilyn worked tirelessly on improving her teaching technique and by 1994, Marilyn had earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The University of Oklahoma. She was 60 years old when she earned her doctorate. Marilyn retired in 2003 from Oral Roberts University. In retirement Marilyn sang in the Boston Avenue Choir and was an Associate Conductor who would conduct the choir in the absence of the lead conductor. She taught private voice lessons, conducted a local community choir called Vocal Arts Ensemble, and continued to be an active member of SAI.

In addition to her career, Marilyn was a loving Mother and Grandmother. Marilyn enjoyed traveling the world with her husband Newt and various groups. Marilyn’s passion was teaching, and music was her life.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Newton George Carver; her daughter, Joan Hatley; brother, John Russell Gassei; and her stepson, Mike Carver. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, David & Missie Chapman; her stepsons, Richard Carver and Steve Carver; her sister, Martha Ruth Dyer; 11 grandchildren; and numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Marilyn will lie in state from 10:00am to 8:00pm with family receiving friends from 5-7pm Thursday, July 6, at the Ninde Brookside Funeral Home. Her funeral will be held 10:00am Friday, July 7, in the Ninde Brookside Chapel. She will be laid to rest at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens, Broken Arrow, OK.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Marilyn’s name: Tulsa Youth Symphony, Tulsa Youth Opera, or Boston Avenue Church.

Ninde Brookside, 918-742-5556, www.ninde.com