Dorothy Mae Graham

Dorothy May Wright Graham was born in Granite, Oklahoma on October 26, 1918 but grew up primarily in Tillman County. She graduated from Hollister High School in the early 1940’s and worked as a bookkeeper for Tomlinson’s Five and Ten Cent Store in Frederick for several years prior to enrollment at Oklahoma City University where she graduated with honors in 1950 with a degree in religion and philosophy. At OCU she met her husband and the love of her life, George Graham. Dorothy and George were a pastoral team and served United Methodist Churches in Erick, Turley, Bartlesville, Tulsa, Ardmore, Nichols Hills and as District Superintendent of the Lawton and Enid Districts. She was active in virtually all aspects of the work of the United Methodist Church but was particularly interested in work with children and did a lot of teaching labs for that mission. Following Rev. Graham’s death in 1982, Dorothy went to work at OCU as Administrative Assistant to the Dean of the Chapel where she worked until 2008, retiring finally at the age of 90.

She was the consummate hostess as many of those who attended weddings, conferences and other events at the OCU’s Bishop Angie W. Smith Chapel can attest. Her involvement in the life of OCU was wide and energetic and included sponsorship of the religious sorority, Kappa Phi where she was beloved for her friendship, counsel, hospitality and other forms of assistance to many young women. She was also supportive of many ministries to children, the hungry and the homeless. Her giving spirit and gracious presence led to many accolades which she never sought but which were well deserved. In 1987 she was awarded the Paul W. Milhouse Award for her work in university-church relations; in 1993 she was Mrs. OCU Homecoming; in 1998 she was named OCU staff employee of the year; in 2005 she was given the OCU Distinguished Alumni Award and was recognized as the outstanding alum of OCU’s School of Religion; she was given the Valiant Woman Award by Church Women United; OCU established the Dorothy Graham Endowment designed to aid Religious Life Program special events and student assistance for such things as mission trips and conclaves; was recognize by the United Methodist Foundation for Higher Education for her contributions to student life and education; and upon her retirement a tree was planted beside the Chapel in her honor by OCU Church Relations and that day was designated by the Governor of Oklahoma as Dorothy Graham Day.

Dorothy is survived by her cousins Joe Vaughan and his wife Marilyn of Canadian, Oklahoma and Rex Vaughan and his wife Sacra of Decatur, Georgia and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews as well as many friends and colleagues whom she regarded as sisters, brothers or children. We all loved her, will miss her and are grateful that her spirit remains with us.

Services will be held at Nichols Hills United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 13 at 11:00 a.m. There will be a brief reception following the service and then a graveside service at Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made the scholarship fund which Dorothy established upon George’s death, the George G. Graham Memorial Scholarship Fund, care of the Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation, 4201 North Classen Boulevard, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118.

Arrangements under the direction of Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors, Oklahoma City, OK.