Obituary for Dorthy Dailey

Dorthy Mae Dailey

July 28, 1927 – February 25, 2022

Dorthy Mae (Evans) Dailey, former resident of Ponca City, OK passed from this life on Feb. 25, 2022 at age 94. The graveside memorial service will be held on Sat, March 5 at 2:00 PM at Odd Fellows (IOOF) Cemetery . Viewing will be Sat. March 5 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Also known as “D.D.” and “Meme”, Dorthy was born on July 28, 1927 to True Leon Evans and Helen Serena (Pilkington) Evans on a farm between Ponca City and Blackwell. She attended Ponca City schools, graduating from Ponca City High School in 1945. Music was a large part of Dorthy’s school experience as she played the flute in band beginning at the age of 8. Dorthy achieved the outstanding distinction of becoming the very first female drum major in the Ponca City School system. Her drum major role began at Lincoln Elementary and continued through junior high school. She was a member of First Baptist Church and Ponca City High School choir and performed in a quartet for weddings, funerals and other functions. In 1943, Dorthy was elected Cherokee Strip Queen of the Whisker Club. During high school she gained much experience through a variety of jobs. She worked at Kress, Anthony’s and for a dentist, Dr.Warwag.

Following graduation in 1945, Dorthy was united in marriage on June 17 to Harry (Pooch) Vernon Dailey in Ponca City. Born to this union was Felicia Ann Dailey (Rowe) in 1946, Randy Allen Dailey in 1949, and Priscilla Louise Dailey (Drummond) in 1954. When her children were small, Dorthy was a stay-at-home mom participating in and helping with their many activities. She continued her education in the form of various classes including Speedwriting (shorthand), First Aid, CPR, Law Enforcement School, and attended NOC in addition to completing private pilot application training at OSU.

In 1960, Dorthy began her career at TJ Cuzalina’s, a popular local drugstore. In 1967 she began working at Kay County Courthouse as a secretary, deputy claims clerk and bookkeeper where she was employed for 14 years. In 1981 she kept books for a construction firm in Arkansas with the Corp of Engineers. After moving back to Ponca City she worked briefly as a dispatcher for the Ponca City Police Department before retiring from Conoco in 1992.

As a faithful member of First Baptist Church, Dorthy spent many years serving in the nursery during services, bible school and many other church related functions. She enjoyed caring for her favorite age group, the 2 year olds.

Meme’s favorite activities included dancing, bead work, making afghans for each child and grandchild and attending their sporting and musical events. She was an accomplished seamstress, lovingly crafting her future daughter-in-law Vickie’s wedding dress in 1969. Meme had a love for eagles, collecting anything and everything eagle related.

During her adult life, Dorthy was a very active member of Epsilon Alpha International Sorority, and American Legion Auxiliary.

Dorthy is survived by her children Felicia Rowe of Claremore, OK, Randy Dailey and wife Vickie of Ponca City, OK and Priscilla Drummond and husband Joe of Hominy, OK. Surviving grandchildren are Amy (Dailey) Neufeld and husband Jerry of Ponca City, OK, Holly (Dailey) Roe and husband Shane of Muldrow, OK, Joanna (Dailey) Smith of Ponca City, OK, Adam Dailey and wife Mandi of Sand Springs, OK, Melody (Drummond) White and husband Joel of Ft. Collins, CO, Jill (Drummond) Brinkley and husband Robb of Tulsa, OK and Matt Drummond and wife Heather of Owasso, OK. “Meme” is also survived by 15 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in her honor may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place • Memphis, TN 38105 or your favorite charity.

Dorthy was preceded in death by her parents True and Helen Evans, her brother Loyd Evans, son-in-law Ralph Rowe, grandson Jeffrey Todd Rowe, and great granddaughter Dacie Renee Neufeld.

Source: Trout Funeral Home