Mary M. (Dodson) Whitfield

Born December 30, 1933, died October 6, 2020

Mary Dodson was born to H.I. and Mary (Big Dad and Big Mom) Dodson in Bowie, Texas. She was the sixth of nine siblings: Effie, I.B., Johnny, Jimmy, Naomi, then Mary, Bobby, Louise, and Melba. They worked long, hard hours growing up on a farm, but as a teenager, Mary was able to play basketball for Lelia Lake High School. She and her brothers and sisters had fun together growing up, and they remained close, continuing to enjoy spending time together throughout their adult lives.

Mary met the love of her life, Carter Whitfield, in March of 1952. He left for California to work, and later that same year, she took the bus to meet him, and they were married October 30. He can still tell you what she was wearing the day they met. Mary and Carter had two sons, Carter, Jr. and Kendall. In 1961, the family moved to Inola, Oklahoma and have called it home ever since. They would go on to have two granddaughters, Brandi and Misti, and three great-granddaughters, Madelyn, Lorelei, and Tenley.

Her sons would tell you she was a kind, wise, and devoted mom, and her granddaughters knew her to be just about the greatest grandma a kid could have.

Mary was good at anything she ever really tried to do and had may talents and hobbies. A brilliant gardener, she could grow anything and made it sound easy when you asked her how to do it. Well, for her, it was. She and Carter made sure that family and friends enjoyed fresh vegetables from their large garden. She made ceramics, played the organ, she loved to fish and painted. She was a real good cook and many meals were enjoyed at her house.

Mary and Carter travelled all over the U.S, first with their sons, and later with their granddaughters. They visited national parks, mountains, beaches, and amusement parks. Whether travelling, or just staying home, they always had time for their grandkids, making sure to give them their time, love, and attention.

Mary was loved, admired and appreciated by everyone that knew her and will be greatly missed every day.

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