Mary Lou (Simkin) Braman-Best, 83 years old of Tulsa, OK. died at 11:07 a.m., March 29, 2006 at St. John's Regional Medical Center, Tulsa, OK. after an illness.

She was born October 3, 1922 at Columbus, Ks to Fred W. and Hazel Graham Simkin. She attended Columbus schools and graduated from C.C.C.H.S. in 1940. She was married on April 13, 1943 to Lt. Lester L. Braman in Clovis, NM. He was killed in a plane crash 13 days later while on their last trip before going overseas. She then married Harold Dean Best on December 26, 1950 in Miami, OK. They have celebrated 55 years of marriage.

She was employed by the IRS Division of the U. S. Treasury Dept. in Washington, D. C. she was Principal of St. Michael's Montessori School in Mission, Kansas, Stewart Electric Co. in Tulsa and Engineering Design Group, Inc. where she remained until retiring in 1990.

She was a charter member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Columbus, KS. and the Kansas State School Secretaries Association, a life member of Pursel Chapter OES and a former member of Coterie Club, Columbus, KS and Sungate Garden Club, Tulsa, OK.

She was preceded in death by parents, Fred and Hazel Simkin. She is survived by her husband, Dean Best, 2 sons, Steven of Tulsa, OK and David of Owasso, 3 grandsons, 1 granddaughter, 2 great grandsons and 1 great granddaughter, brother, Fred W. (Ted) Simkin of Columbus, KS, niece, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be held Monday, April 3, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Kansas with Reverend Susan Rosenbaum officiating. The family suggests memorials to the First Presbyterian Church or St. Stephen's Episcopal Church of Columbus in lieu of flowers. Burial will be at Park Cemetery, Columbus, KS.