Willena Margaret Belanger

Willena Margaret “Maggie” Belanger was born on July 8, 1930, in Ponca City, Oklahoma, to Melba Louise Clevenger and Carl Henry Clevenger. She graduated from Alva High School in 1950 and loved to recall that she shared a graduating class with the Western film actor Jack Ging.

Maggie devoted 23 years of service to Texas Christian University in Facilities Services, retiring in 2006 at the age of 75. Throughout her life she held many jobs, but the work she cherished most was the time spent alongside her husband, Frank E. Belanger, painting homes. She delighted in making things look fresh and new, and even more so in the simple joy of working side by side with him. Together, Maggie and Frank raised four children, working tirelessly to provide a loving home.

A passionate Dallas Cowboys fan, Maggie’s spirited cheering could be heard well beyond her front door whenever her team was on television. Whether or not she knew every rule of the game, there was no doubt she was one of the Cowboys’ most devoted supporters. She also held a special admiration for Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Maggie was a lifelong ball of energy—a true spitfire. She amazed friends and family—often those much younger—with her ability to work and play at a lively pace, proudly declaring she was “keeping up with the young folks.” One of her greatest pleasures was spending a day at WinStar Casino in Oklahoma, where the thrill of the slot machines brought her pure joy. When she couldn’t make the trip, she enjoyed trying her luck with Texas Lotto scratch-off tickets.

Above all, Maggie led with her heart. Her generosity, warmth, and unwavering love touched everyone around her. Whether she was known as Mom, Granny, MeeMaw, or simply Maggie, she lived her life giving freely and without expectation. Family was her greatest treasure, and nothing brought her more happiness than gathering with her children, grandchildren, and extended family.

Maggie was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Melba Clevenger; her husband, Frank Ephraim Belanger; her son, Stephen Lamont Belanger; her sisters Sue Richardson, Mary Meek, and Jane Robinson; her brothers Bill Clevenger and Clarence Clevenger; and her granddaughter, Kenadi Bloss.

She is survived by her daughters Diana Cantu (Ralph), Rebecca Lindsey (Christopher), and Paula Little (Erik); her grandchildren Waylond Sims, Jared Sims, Bailey Belanger, Briley Zellner, Hannah Little, and Camryn Brooke Lindsey-Dotson; her great-grandchildren Kyle Sims, Chloe McCune, Corbin Belanger, Cooper Belanger, Conner Belanger, Akira Zellner, and Sabrina Sims; and her great-great-grandchildren Elijah Sims and Reese Sims, with two more expected in the spring of 2027. She also leaves behind three bonus grandchildren: Zoe Arreola, Lilyana Arreola, and Amariah Cantu.