Dorothy June Arthur

Dorothy June Arthur, 88 of Perkins, OK, was called home to her Lord on June 14, 2025, surrounded by her children. She was born January 31, 1937, to Shirley Ivan and Dorothy Mae Brown, in Oklahoma City, OK. She lived a short time in Fairfield, IL, and the remainder of her life in Payne County, OK. She graduated in 1953 from Cushing High School.

Dorothy June Brown married Thomas William Arthur on July 4, 1955, in Cushing, OK. Together they raised four children, Diann, Gayle, Rhyner, and Toma Lynn, on their farm in Mehan, OK. They enjoyed 58 years together.

Dorothy was an active member of Lend-A-Hand Club and Payne County Home Demonstration Club. She worked for many years for the Payne County Election Board, reaching the position of Inspector. However, she would say her most important role was caring for her family. She was the quiet force behind Tom’s many endeavors including farming, gardening, and their custom home-building business. She greatly enjoyed their many travel adventures together from impromptu backroad drives to cross-country bus rides and an international trip to Europe.

Dorothy loved being a homemaker and enjoyed canning, baking, and sewing. She often played games with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and would make pancakes when any of them visited. She sewed many outfits for her children before she started designing and making quilts for her children for their 10th anniversary and for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren when they turned 13. She enthusiastically supported her family’s various pursuits and attended as many of their activities as she could. She relished hosting Christmas in her home every year, despite the growing size of the family, and found much joy in buying gifts and preparing a gift bag for each member.

Dorothy diligently mailed cards to family, friends and church members for birthdays, anniversaries, during illnesses, etc., and they were always stamped with “In God We Trust” on the back of the envelope. She always looked for opportunities to bless those around her just to brighten their day and enjoyed creating handmade gifts for her many friends. She greatly enjoyed excursions taken with her family and friends to musicals, plays, and many other local attractions.

Dorothy was a long time, very active member of Mehan Union Church. It was often said that she was at the church anytime the doors were open, and Tom always said she had to be the last to leave to lock up. She taught Sunday School, worked in the nursery, prepared communion, assisted with church dinners, served during VBS and any special event, helped with organization and distribution of the church food program and established a memorial scholarship fund, to name just a few of her contributions.

Dorothy’s greatest joy and biggest blessing was her family – her children: Diann & Max Rudd (Perkins, OK), Gayle & Jay Davis (Topeka, KS), Rhyner & Jerri Arthur (Perkins, OK), and Toma Lynn & Ron Garst (Colorado Springs, CO); her grandchildren: Phillip & Tiffany Davis, Rebekah & Toby Tiner, Stephanie & Josh Leach, Benton & Jennifer Rudd, Allison & Kyle Dollins, Rachel & Kyle McGee, Sarah & Shane Dean, Jamison & Donegan Rudd, Caleb & Catie Arthur, David Garst, and Emily Garst; her great-grandchildren: Seth, Savannah, & Esther Davis; JT, Audrey, Titus, Samantha, Adelayne, Amos, & Judah Tiner; Rhylan, Raygan, & Rhys Leach; Tatum & Wyatt Dean; Harrison, Calvin, & Eloise Rudd; Cory & Vaeda Dollins; Clíona Rudd; Callie Arthur & baby brother arriving soon; and her siblings: brother Don Brown (Sue), sister Joyce Raney, and sister Sheryl Hubbard (Jim) as well as brothers, Charles and Jack, and sister Darla, who preceded her in death.

Services have been entrusted to the care of Dighton Marler Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. with services beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at Mehan Union Church, 8300 E 68th St., Stillwater, OK with interment following at the Perkins Cemetery in Perkins, OK.

The service will be officiated by grandsons Pastor Toby Tiner and Pastor Jamison Rudd. Pall bearers will be her granddaughters and honorary pall bearers are her great granddaughters. Although she dearly loved flowers, in lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Mehan Union Church, Arthur Family Memorial Scholarship Fund. The family would like to thank her many friends for their meals, care and support during this time as well as Karman Legacy Hospice staff for their diligent care.