Uncrowned Community Builders

Mabel Vick Mukes was born September 17, 1912 on her parent's farm located three miles north of Fallis , Oklahoma . Mabel was the 12 th of 13 children of Alice Brown Vick and Gaylon Vick. Mabel's father spent little time at the farm and was often absent for years at a time. The burden of managing the farm and raising the large family fell on the strong shoulders of Alice . She was a role model mother who provided a healthy environment in which the family could develop.

In 1930, Mabel graduated from Dunbar School in Wellston Oklahoma . She continued her education at Langston University , Prairie View College and The University of Oklahoma. In 1952, she obtained a masters degree from Oklahoma University .

Mabel Mukes loved children. She spent 62 years of her life in Oklahoma 's public school system-42 years as a regular class room teacher and 19 years as a substitute teacher. During her distinguished career, Mabel's experiences have included teaching in one-room log cabins to teaching in schools with modern technology. For many students, Mabel was the only face known during the first eight years of their education. At 90 years of age, she was still active in the state educational system.

Mabel taught at a number of schools during her long career. From 1932 to 1976, she taught in schools at Paden, Dudley, Boley, Fallis, Hobart and Oklahoma City , Oklahoma . Mabel left teaching in 1976 to become a top sales person at Montgomery Wards department store. However, in 1984, Mabel returned to the Oklahoma public school system where she remained until her retirement in 2003.
Mabel Mukes' happiest day was graduation. Posing with graduating classes are the most treasured events of her long career. Mabel feels an unusual tingle of pride when standing with a graduating group for their class photo.Mabel's numerous accomplishments outside of the classroom are also notable. In 1967, she was chairperson of the Liaison Committee of the Oklahoma County Classroom Teachers. In the same year, Mabel was crowned the key woman of Calvary Baptist Church during a Woman's Day Celebration. During this celebration, she was presented an Honorary Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma certificate for her voluntary services. In 1969, Mabel received the Community Leader of America award. In 1970, she was appointed by the Governor to serve on a committee for the revision of the State Constitution .

Mabel was second Vice President of the woman's Missionary Society and Representative of the Oklahoma City Education Board of Directors for three consecutive years. She served one year as President of the Lincoln County Classroom Teachers Association. In 1980 a tree was planted on Britton School 's Playground in the name of Mabel Mukes.
Mabel has followed her mother's rules of respecting yourself and others and trusting God. She is remembered as a dedicated, loving teacher by the thousands of students who passed through her classrooms.