Serve the Lord with gladness in our works and ways

Come before His presence with our songs of praise

Unto Him our Maker we would pledge anew

Life's supreme devotion is service true.

These words from an old Baptist hymnal and based in Psalms 100, served as a mantra for the life of Delores (Dody) Witzel Horton, age 79, who went to be with her Lord on August 1, 2016.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m Saturday, August 6, 2016, at First Baptist Church, Lawton, with Dr. Patrick Latham and Rev. Tony Christie officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, August 5th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Dody (as everyone called her) was born May 23, 1937 in Muskogee, Oklahoma, to Jake and Clara Mae Witzel. The family moved to Lawton in 1942 and Dody attended elementary school, junior high and graduated from Lawton High school in 1955. She was elected to who's who in Lawton High as the most dependable lady. Her graduating class was the first class to graduate in the new high school building. It was in high school that she met the young man who was to become the love of her life and her husband for 59 years. Dody attended the University of Oklahoma and was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. Charles and Dody were married on June 16, 1957 in First Baptist Church, Lawton.

After graduation, Dody and Charles moved back to Lawton and settled into the business world. They partnered with Charles' dad in C & H Supply and Horton Furniture and subsequently, they opened, owned and operated Dody's Hallmark in Central Mall of Lawton and a branch store in Cache Road Square. They were also partners in Marlene's Hallmark in Altus. She served in the community and was a member of the Entre Nous study club.

Dody and Charles were active members of First Baptist Church. She sang in the Choir and taught Sunday School to three year olds and intermediates for years. She served in the church childcare program and as the cook for the FBC youth at numerous Falls Creek encampments. She loved her Church and her legions of friends there. Her life and her testimony have impacted the lives of countless numbers of people who came under her influence. She was a devoted and dedicated mother and homemaker, showering love and attention on her husband, two children and five grandchildren. She truly served Him with Gladness, and now she is with Him.

Dody was predeceased by her parents, Jake and Clara Mae Witzel, brother-in-law George Miller and nephew Jay Keith Lewis.

She is survived by her loving husband, Charles G. Horton of Lawton, Daughters Rochelle McCaslin and husband Chad of Garland, Texas and Wendi Ratliff and husband David, of Lawton Oklahoma; five grandchildren, Jon McCaslin and Ben McCaslin, of Garland, Texas, Styles Ratliff, of Edmond, Oklahoma, Shandee Ratliff of Norman Oklahoma and Sierra Ratliff of Lawton Oklahoma. Three sisters: Marlene McPherson and husband Ralph of Iowa Park, Texas, Pat Miller of Lawton, Oklahoma and Catherine Dunn and husband Tom of Lawton, Oklahoma; Sister-in-law Patsy Rogers and husband Will of Abilene, Texas and many nieces and nephews.

From your family: Farewell beautiful, wonderful and Godly Lady. We will miss you because we love you so much. Jesus stayed up late Sunday night to meet you greet you and welcome you home.  As He took you into His loving arms, we know he said "Well done good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things. I will make you a ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord and receive your crown of righteousness." Goodbye" dear one, but only for a little while.

Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church, 501 SW B Avenue, Lawton, Oklahoma, 73501 and designated to the Falls Creek Baptist encampment.