Mardi Ann (Wells) Dunn was born to Brenda (Gibson) Wells Keene and Daniel Lee Wells Jr. in Rock Springs, Wy, on April 1st, 1981 at 8:30pm MT. She was the first born of a new generation from either parent’s siblings, so she was immediately loved by everyone. Mardi passed from this world on June 6th, 2025 at the age of 44.
Even as a toddler, her life was busy…and she proved capable of so much. She was quick to giggle and loved solving puzzles. Her parents moved back home from Wyoming when she was 2 years old and she began her life in the Durant area among her expansive family. She performed in OSF’s Children’s Theatre at ages 5 and 6.
She went to school from 1st through 9th grades in Dallas and Austin Texas, from and to which she became a frequent flyer. In Texas, she learned to roller skate and dance in a drill team. She made fast and lasting friendships that she held connections with throughout her life, and they all call her “Mo”. Mardi would spend time on many holidays and summers with her dad and family in the Durant area and joined and attended the Durant First United Methodist Church.
Mardi’s seizures began at age 14, and at 15, she and her mom moved back to Durant to be nearer to the family. She attended Caddo High School where many of her 1st cousins attended. She joined the drill team and was named homecoming queen. She worked as a special needs teacher’s helper after graduation for a year. Not driving due to Epilepsy posed problems with starting college, so they moved a block from SOSU and Mardi started and completed 2 BA degrees in both Psychology and Sociology.
She worked for the SOSU Police Department until she and her mom opened Bremar’s Variety Depot near the University. When helping operate and manage their family store, she met her soon-to-be husband, OC Brandon Dunn, the love of her life, at the age of 29. They were married on April 25th, 2015 and have two sweet daughters, Arlene Jane “AJ” and Orlena Rue. Mardi loved being a mom and stepmom to Edana and Kyler, her bonus kids. Though the seizures were plentiful and worrisome during both pregnancies, nothing was going to prevent what God had planned by bringing their precious children into the world.
Mardi first got involved with First Christian Church’s Sunshine School when she and Brandon enrolled AJ into their program where she became an active and supporting parent, then teacher, and then Administrator. She dearly loved the position and all of the people she worked with and the children and parents. She took another opportunity at the same time to work with little kids at the First United Methodist Church, her church home.
Mardi recently became a big fan of WWE wrestling. She collected friends, frogs, and memories her entire life. She loved spending time with her family on many various fun outings, and enjoyed camping a lot, and just being around people, especially children. She also loved to sleep and eat great food and was a good cook. She and Brandon worked in the community to support those in need with Feeding Hope and their own non-profit Durant Soul Reflections. She was a great role model on how to live a life loving and caring for others. She was fun loving, energetic, and so patient and wonderful with her own children and a multitude of others.
Those who knew her will always remember Mardi’s love of life. She lived it big, as if every new day was special and a blessing. Her joy, smile, and little giggle was contagious. She brought kindness, goodness and love everywhere she went, along with big ‘ole hugs. If you got one, no doubt you lived in her heart. Rest in Peace Mardi “Mo”.
Mardi was preceded in death by her great grandma Agnes Evans Cook; Granny Betty Fulcher; grandma-in-law Gwendolyn Williams; grandfather-in-Law FF Henk; father-in-Law Charles Dunn III; uncle Dwight “Ikie” McKay; and her cousins Tommy Tynes and Kylie Russell.
She is survived by many:
Husband, OC Brandon Dunn, and children AJ and Orlena of the home and Edana and Kyler.
Mother and Stepdad: Brenda and Charlie Keene, step siblings, Ethan Keene, Lauren Keene (kids, Barrett & Breelyn), and Trey and Kayla Keene (son, Ryan)
Father and Stepmother: Danny and Terri Wells, stepsister Lacey Stewart (daughters Landry, Laney, and Gentry, half-brother Jackson and wife Shay.
Mother-in-Law and Stepfather-in Law: Charlene and Mike Anderson, sister-in-law Brandolyn and Crystal Dunn (daughters Keira and Lucie), and stepsister-in-law, Cassidy Anderson.
Grandpa and Grandma: Lee and Kandy Dunn
Brother-In-Law, Charles Dunn IV.
Grandparents: Dan and Patty Wells
Aunt D.Ann and husband Ivan Mathews,:cousins Christi and husband Cody Cromer (Braden, Kasen,
Hudson and Hadley), Rachel and husband Seth Chancey, and Walker Mathews and wife Courtney (Lillie,
Parker, and Paisley)
Uncle Donald and Pam Wells, cousins Stephanie Wells, Bradley and Brittany Wells (Nolan and Mila,
Lucas and Landry) Andy Russell, Cody and Jasara Russell (Gabriella and Cade), Lonnie Russell Pennington (daughter Lyza), Knox and Zane Russell.
Aunt: Georgena McKay, cousins Dustin and Lacey McKay (Kadey and Jake)
Uncle and Aunt: Mark and Karla Gibson cousins Evan and Susana Gibson (Conway and Abelito), Aaron and Hosanna Gibson (Juniper)
Aunt and Uncle: Dawna and Wally Tucker, cousin, Trey Tucker
Aunt and Uncle: Shannon and David Churchill, cousin, Torrey Tynes
Grandparents: George and Pam Gibson, Aunt Kimberly and Shawn Hignite, cousins Trevor & Katy
Harrelson (Baker and Nora) and Paul Day. Uncle Justin Gibson and John Gibson (son, Hayden)
Numerous other once removed aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Family Visitation will be held from 7-8 p.m. on Monday, June 16, 2025 at the Gordon Center, located at 305 N. Second Ave. in Durant.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at First United Methodist Church in Durant Oklahoma with Pastor John Hiller, Officiating. A graveside service will follow at highlands cemetery in Durant. First cousins, Dustin McKay, Evan Gibson, Torrey Tynes, Trey Tucker, Aaron Gibson, and Bradley Wells will serve as Pallbearers.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Gordon Funeral Home, 221 N. Third Ave. in Durant.
Phone: (580) 916-9090.