Frances Earlene Dungan's Obituary
Proverbs 31:10 King James · Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
Earlene Dungan, left us December 23, 2020. She was 95 years old. Her life cut short by Covid-19.
Earlene was born in Lampasas, Texas October 21, 1925. She was the oldest of Earl and Lydia Smith's four children. Before she started to school her parents moved to San Jon, New Mexico where she and her sister Nelda grew up. As a child she enjoyed reading books and sewing. She graduated Valedictorian from San Jon High School in the Spring of 1942. She was 16 years old.
She met Jim Dungan that same Spring and they were married in the San Jon Methodist Church on July 3, 1942. Their marriage together would last until Jim's death in 2008, 66 years later. While Jim was serving in the South Pacific during World War 2, she worked as a waitress. After he returned home from the War they moved between Colorado and Texas before settling in Dallas, Texas in 1954
During her marriage she had 4 children, Barbara, Gary, and premature twins Deborah (Debbie) and David. David passed away shortly after birth due to complications.
Earlene worked at the telephone company in Colorado and Texas before becoming full time housewife during the early years of her marriage, she loved to sew. She made most of the clothes she and her family wore. She made doll clothes for Barbara and Debbie and she loved to embroidery. When Barbara was married Earlene made the wedding dress and the bridesmaid dresses.
In 1965 Earlene began working outside the home again. She took a job at Sears in catalog sales, later she was a Buyer's Assistant and sales analyst.
Jim suffered an aneurysm in 1971 leaving him with aphasia and unable to easily communicate or work. Earlene continued to work for Sears. She and Jim became active in Eastfield Missionary Baptist Church in Mesquite, TX. Earlene became a grandmother to Bryan, Scott, Dawn, Jocelyn, and Rachel. Earlene loved being a grandmother and she loved each of her grandchildren.
Earlene retired from Sears in 1990. Jim suffered a debilitating stroke in 2000 and became a resident of Christian Care Center in Mesquite, Earlene visited Jim everyday for 8 years rain or shine.
Earlene moved to Christian Care Assisted Living in 2008 and later became a long term care resident after suffering small strokes and vision loss. Earlene may have lost her vision, her ability to sew and read books but thanks to Texas Talking books she was able to listen to her Bible and her favorite books until her last day.
Earlene was proceeded in death by her husband Jim, son David, her brother Robert Smith, her sister and brother in law Nelda and Bob McGinnes and Debbie's husband Dennis Hinkle. She is survived by her brother and wife Ronnie and Dianne Smith, their son Pat and his wife Stephanie Smith. She is survived by her daughter and her husband Barbara and Sammy Hargrove, her son and his wife Gary and Dottie Dungan, her youngest daughter Debbie Hinkle. She is also survived by her granddaughter Dawn Hinkle. Grandson Bryan and his wife DD Hargrove, their children Hayden and Allyson. Grandson Scott and his wife Jessica Hargrove and daughter Evan. Granddaughter Jocelyn and husband Ryan O'Malley and their children Kaden and Scottlyn. Granddaughter Rachel and husband Chris Jenkins and their children Samantha and husband Corbin Oates. Grandson Zack and Michaela Jenkins and their sons Ezio and Kai. Nephew Eddie and his wife Judy Baker. Eddie would visit Earlene every week at Christian Care until circumstances no longer permitted. The staff often mistook Eddie as her son. Earlene is also survived by many more nieces and nephews.
An informal service followed by a graveside prayer (weather permitting) will be held at Restland in Dallas, December 31, 2020 1:00pm. Mask and social distancing will be observed.
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