Dortha Louise Crews Woods

Dortha Louise (Parsons) Crews Woods was born in Stilwell, and while she left Stilwell. Stilwell never left her. She was the third child of Joe & Josie Parsons, born October 13, 1932, along with her older siblings, the twins Roberta and Robert, and her younger sister Mary Jo. She was a cheerleader and played basketball, and was even crowned Strawberry Queen. She loved her small town, returning frequently for the Strawberry Festival and her yearly class reunions. She even reconnected there with her high school sweetheart and then second husband, Wayne Woods, after her beloved William Crews passed away. When she was 17, she was working at the Stilwell cafe when William Crews walked in, and 3 weeks later they were married, a day after she turned 18. Nine months and two days later the family began to grow with their first child Darryl. Gary, Peggie, and Becky finished out the Crews crew. Bill and Dortha loved each other and loved their family. They were passionate, playful, and generous. While Bill was busy with businesses and helping eradicate polio throughout the world through the Rotary Club and creating the "Be Wise, Immunize," campaign, Dortha was involved in many civic organizations, local and national PTA, Freedom Foundations, Chairman of the State Foster Care Review Board and Rotary Ann's. She was the taxi driver and lead cheerleader for the kids; whether it was wrestling, softball, baseball, football, cheerleading, or gymnastics, she was there to care for her kids and anyone else who needed cheering on! She was deeply patriotic and believed in doing her part to make her community, country, and world a better place. Dortha's biggest desire came to life in 1981 when the first grandchild, of 11, was born. Nathan was the oldest and Tommy was the youngest, but each of them (Nathan, Chris, and Micah belonging to Darryl and Judy Crews, Calley and Abbey, belonging to Gary, Heather, Mark, and Meredith belonging to Peggie and Mike, and Joey, Drew, and Tommy belonging to Becky and Ray) believed that they were the favorite. The biggest controversies to this day is the grandkids arguing about who she loved more and how to spell the name they called her: Memaw, Mima, MeeMaw, Mema. She spurred on the debate by saying, "I don't care how you spell it as long as you spell it and say it." If you married into the family, you became one of hers as well, along with many "adopted" kids throughout the years. She was at every event she could manage to cheer on the grandkids and give them a hug and a money handshake after she saw them. Everyone loved to stay at her house, where she would cook their favorite food and make them feel like the most important person in the world. When her great-grandchildren (eventually 23!) came along, she was completely in awe of each of them. They were each drawn to her, knowing that she was a source of love, encouragement, and safety. She was always the first to like a picture of any of them on Facebook and claim, "That one is mine!" One of the great gifts of her life was when the family came together to celebrate her 90th birthday in 2022 over Thanksgiving. The family picture taken that day was featured prominently in her home. She loved a Fountain Pepsi, treasures, especially angels, celebrating occasions, especially birthdays, and watching OU football and softball. She knew when to make a witty comment and when to give a precious hug. She had the gift of hospitality, making you feel welcomed, known, and loved. You didn't just say goodbye when leaving, you said, "I love you," and that's a heritage of love passed on. She was baptized in Barren Creek in Stilwell and she trusted Jesus. Her family is at peace knowing her faith was evident in how she loved others. Her greatest desire was for her family to get along and to believe about each other and themselves what she saw and believed about each of us. Dortha experienced deep sorrow that marked her life, losing her parents just weeks apart, sister Bert and brother Robert, her niece JoJo, her dear husband William Crews, her son Darryl, and her second husband Wayne Woods earlier in 2024. Dortha passed away on October the 4th, 2024 and while we feel her loss deeply, we are grateful for the gift of her life and time with her. She is at peace with Jesus, and reunited with those who have gone before. She would be grateful to know that her passing brought her family and friends together once more to celebrate and love one another. Visitation will be 4:00PM to 7:00PM Monday, October 7, 2024 at the Moore Funeral Home, Southlawn Chapel. The Celebration of Life service will be 12PM Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at Moore's Southlawn Chapel, Tulsa, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Young Life or Pearl'sHope@circle of care.org

Dortha Louise Crews Woods

October 13, 1932 - October 3, 2024