Doris Dawes

Doris Dawes of Anadarko was born December 23rd, 1924, in Carnegie, Oklahoma, to Milvern "Mac" and Ethel Mae (Toney) McNabb. She passed from this life on Saturday March 21st at the Corn Heritage Retirement Home, Corn, Oklahoma.
Doris was raised in Carnegie and attended the Carnegie schools, graduating in the class of 1943. She was the president of the FHA and editor of the high school newspaper, and at that time was published in the Carnegie Herald. Doris was a quiet girl but a master of friendship, maintaining lifelong friendships until the end of her life. During her high school years a handsome boy, John Earl Dawes courted her. They were married in her parents' home on August 28th, 1943. John referred to Doris as "Blonde" and bragged he snagged the "looker" of Carnegie High. They remained lovebirds until his death in 2010. Doris was loyal to her husband, helping him graduate from college and supporting him in his career in Vocational Agriculture. When John was forced to retire due to health, Doris was his care taker for 27 years until his death. John was the first to admit without Doris he would have not enjoyed the success in his career or life. Doris had a relationship with Jesus Christ from a young age. Her mother and grandparents helped establish the Carnegie Church of Christ. John became a Christian because of Doris' example and this was a major reason their marriage was a success. Doris attended church services faithfully, 3 times a week. This was not out of duty but because of her love for the Lord. You would find Doris teaching children Bible classes, cleaning the building, preparing communion and visiting elderly who were not able to attend services. Anytime there was a special occasion such as a wedding shower or a funeral, Doris would be found in the kitchen preparing and serving food. Her quiet example was a testimony of her love for the Lord.
Doris cherished extended family rarely missing a birth, wedding, illness or death of aunts, uncles and cousins. She always looked forward to the Carnegie School Reunions. She served as an officer and a representative for her class and looked forward to seeing all of her classmates. On April 18th, 1957 Doris gave birth to her youngest child and 2 days later attended the reunion. She missed her first Carnegie reunion two years ago only because of her illness and struggle with Alzheimer's.
She was a long time member of the Oklahoma Community Education Club, joining 1954. She entered exhibits in the Caddo County Fair, ceramics, can goods, flower arrangements and sewing. In addition, she made ceramics for her family and friends as gifts. One of Doris' greatest passions was music. She played the piano from a young age and even the last month of her life with severe complications of dementia was able to play "you are my sunshine" at the Corn Heritage Home. She also owned an organ and played hymns and Christmas carols during the holidays for her grandchildren. She passed her passion to music to her children as they all took piano lessons. During her and John's retirement they traveled along with friends to South Texas and staying for a month or so in their trailer and made many trips to Branson, MO.
Doris believed it was her responsibility to create a home and loving environment and special memories for her children and grandchildren. Holidays were always big at the Dawes house. She was an exceptional cook and baker and enjoyed introducing new recipes to family gatherings. Everyone had a birthday party in the Dawes family regardless if you were 8 or 80. Doris made everyone in her family feel important and loved. These traits she passed to her children and grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents', sister, Helen Mize, brother in law, Bob Mize, brother, Jimmy McNabb and sister in law Phyllis McNabb and Nephew Robert Mize, cousins, Dorathy Dyer, Norma Dean McLain and many close friends. Survivors include her brother Lewis McNabb of Chickasha, her four children: Richard (Jackie) of Bethany, Oklahoma, Debbie Hawpe and Katy Dawes of Anadarko, Oklahoma and Mike Dawes of Trophy Club, Texas. Eight grandchildren: Marty McPherson (Melissa) of Binger, Ok, Anji Ison (Roger) of Oklahoma City, OK, Andy McPherson (Andrea), Weatherford, Ok, Joanna Bowzer, New York City, NY, Many Hawpe and fiancé Tyler Davis , Anadarko, Ok, Mendy (Lance) Zerger, Amarillo, Texas and Glenna (Bruce) Burdick of Weatherford, Ok and Samantha Dawes of Bethany, Oklahoma . Nephew, Stephen (Tracy) Mize of Santa Ana, California. Cousins, Lois Ann Garber, Clearwater, Florida, Karen Edgefield, Yukon, Oklahoma, Dennis (Gloria) Dyer, Carnegie, Oklahoma, Allen ( Cindy) McLain, Medicine Park, OK. All of the Dawes cousins who remain close and cherished Doris. The family would like to thank Melissa McPherson and Sue Durbin who cared for Doris in her home in Anadarko and the Corn Heritage Retirement Home for the outstanding care and love they gave our mother. We will be eternally grateful for that outstanding facility in Corn as they treated her as she was their mother and grandmother.
Services will be held Thursday March 26th at the Anadarko Church of Christ at 2PM under the direction of the Steverson Funeral Home. Family will receive friends on Wednesday from 5 PM to 6 PM at the Steverson Funeral Home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.steversonfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Carnegie Memorial Building Fund, Carnegie, Oklahoma 73015.