Mary Eugenia Dover

Mary “Eugenia” Dover was the oldest child of Mary Eliza Burton and Eugene Roswell Redman born on October 23, 1920 in Mellette. She is a great granddaughter of Lucinda Yargee and John G. Smith whose parents Captain Yargee and Samuel L. Smith were leaders of the Creek Indians removal from Alabama. She is a granddaughter of Robert David Burton from Hinds, Mississippi who founded the first general store in Checotah in 1888. “Eugenia” graduated from Eufaula High School in 1938, Wilburton Junior College and Southeastern State Teachers College, Durant with a degree in history and education. She later taught elementary school from 1941 to 1953 in West Liberty, East Liberty 62, and Mellette School Districts. Eugenia attended Burns Chapel Church of God and taught Sunday School Classes for several years. She dearly loved the Lord Jesus Christ. She was especially proud of her Indian Heritage. Eugenia enjoyed gardening, reading the Bible to anyone, but most of all, she was devoted to her family teaching at home. Eugenia married Virgil Dover Sr. in McAlester, Oklahoma on May 24, 1941 by the Justice of the Peace. He preceded her in death in 1986. Her son Larry also preceded her in death in 1994. She is also preceded in death by three brothers, William Redman, Robert Redman and “Sonny Boy Redman” and three sisters, Clara Adams, Virginia Redman and Eliza Ruth Stratton. Survivors include her children Marilyn Tolbert of the home, Linda Dover of Watts, Oklahoma, Virgil Dover Jr. of Lafayette, Louisiana, Marion Dover of Tipton, Michigan, William Dover of Lawton, Oklahoma, Bobby Dover Sr. of Eufaula, Oklahoma and brother Eugene Redman Jr. of Denver, Colorado, 8 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.