Doloris June Littleton Burnett
June 16, 1923 – November 12, 2019
Dolores Littleton Burnett of Edmond passed away the evening of Tuesday, November 12, 2019. She has been welcomed to her eternal home by her parents who she adored, Alma Leaverton Littleton and Thad Littleton of Oklahoma City. We rejoice with Dolores, who is also now celebrating her eternal life with her beloved brothers, Bud, Jim, Stan, Bill, and Dick and her little sister, Betty. She is survived by her daughter Pam Merrill and her husband Steve Merrill, Edmond, and her younger brother Tom and his wife Mary of Oklahoma City. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Sarah, Norma, Dolores, and Gay. Among her extended family are many loving nieces and nephews, as well as dozens of grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
Dolores June Littleton was born on June 19, 1923, at Mercy Hospital, the first child of eight children born to a young Christian couple. As a young girl, Dolores was baptized at the Downtown Oklahoma City Baptist Church. She would later become a member at Kelham, Crestwood, Olivet, and Quail Springs Baptist churches in the metro area.
Dolores spent many of her early years helping to care for her younger siblings and assisting her mother with chores on their family acreage near present-day Wiley Post Airport.
As many Littleton children, Dolores was a gifted musician who played several instruments, including the clarinet and viola. She played in both the Northeast High School band and orchestra, receiving a music scholarship her senior year. As a young adult, Dolores joined the Oklahoma City Symphony Orchestra where she played the viola. Music also drew her to the alto section of church choirs, performance in ladies’ quartets, and service as director of a girls’ ensemble at Olivet.
Dolores chose to find a steady job immediately following high school in order to help the family during the difficult times of the Great Depression. Her first job was at the Oklahoma Publishing Company, followed by a book-keeping job at Mercy Hospital, and ultimately as the business manager for Radiology Consultants of Oklahoma City for over twenty-five years.
In her spare time, Dolores enjoyed fishing, playing golf, card games with friends, and even took a turn at motorcycles (until a chain-link fence got the better of her). She spoke most fondly of weekend evenings playing dominoes or cards with her parents and brothers.
Dolores also loved to travel, especially sharing trips with her daughter to historical sites or to annual fall trips to Branson. Following her retirement, Dolores enjoyed Red Hat luncheons (but not wearing the hats!), weekly breakfasts with her friends, sharing a pot of beans with Stan and “the boys” at his office, and studying the Bible.
After several years of retirement in her own home, Dolores discovered many new friends at a senior living center where she resided until her passing. For those of you who knew Dolores well, you knew you had a loyal friend and you knew that her candid opinion was offered through genuine concern. Her family realizes just how important these new friendships were and is grateful for the kind thoughts and prayers expressed by both new and old comrades.
Above all else, Dolores’ life should be remembered for its tenacity and perseverance in difficult times. She was a successful businesswoman while being a remarkable single parent. She was a woman who believed the word of God and relied upon it to propel herself and her daughter forward each day.
Dolores will be sincerely and deeply missed by those who knew and loved her. We who were impacted by her resilient personality can now celebrate her new eternal life.
Public Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 14, 2019, from 3:00 – 8:00 PM at Matthews Funeral Home, with a formal visitation from 6:00 – 8:00 PM.
Graveside services will be held on Friday, November 15, 2019, at 10:00 AM at Gracelawn Cemetery in Edmond, Oklahoma.