Mary Dean Dawkins

Mary Dean Dawkins, 88, passed away on Christmas Day, December 25, 2022 at her home in Elk Grove, California, surrounded by her family, from complications of Alzheimer’s/Dementia. Mary is survived by her husband, Frank, her four children, Phyllis Dawkins-Thames, Regina Dawkins, Rodney Dawkins and Felicia Dawkins, her five grandchildren, Devon Thames, Eric Thames, Malia Jones, Torin Jones, and Ciarra Jones. Mary was the last surviving sibling in her family.

Mary was born March 3, 1934 in Marion, Louisiana to Etta and Searcy Andrews. She was the youngest of thirteen children, five girls and eight boys. Her Grandfather nicknamed her “Molly” and her siblings often called her “Baby”. Mary considered her sister Selma her second mother.

Mary was raised in the Pentecostal Church of God. The school she attended was held in a church and she graduated high school in 1952. She left home at the age of 18 with the desire to live in a large city with more modern conveniences. She went to California to live with her sister Selma. Her first job was a waitress in a café.

Mary met Frank in Louisiana in January 1952. In June that same year the Army sent Frank to Germany where he spent the next three years. Upon his return home, Frank proposed to Mary and they were married on March 31, 1955 in Colorado Springs. Mary’s youngest brother Pradis and Frank’s sister Reola were their witnesses. Mary and Frank’s marriage covered a span of almost 68 years.

Mary and Frank were blessed with four children in a three-year period. Mary devoted herself to raising her children and taking care of her husband. There were extended periods of time when she parented alone, as Frank was away on assignment with the military.

Mary was an extremely creative person. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, decorating her home and an array of other crafts. She was an outstanding cook.

Mary did not seek employment until all of her children were in school. While Frank was stationed at Fort Ord, Mary worked with an elementary school breakfast program. In San Jose, Mary worked for the Mt Pleasant School District, first as a Liaison between teachers and parents and later as an Instructional Aide with special needs children. Mary also tutored children in the afternoon after school. She retired from the Mt. Pleasant School District after 26 years of service.

Family was Mary’s focus and that included many extended family members and friends. She will always be remembered for welcoming many nieces and nephews into her home. Mary’s greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren. She played an active role in their lives, often babysitting, attending their many activities, teaching them how to cook, and putting a few dollars in their pockets.

Mary believed in the importance of being a Christian. She found comfort in going to church. When times were tough, she would pray. Her wish for her children and grandchildren was that they would be good people and receive good educations. Her advice to others was, “Always treat others as you would like to be treated.