Zada Dumas

Mary Zada Dumas was born April 8, 1914 in McMinnville in Warren County, Tennessee to Claude L. and Martha Savannah Bonner Meeks. At age four, the family loaded up and made the journey to Texas, locating near Maypearl. More moves were in store for the young girl as the family relocated in Hill County, first to Arnot and then, finally settling in Mayfield. Growing up she attended the Progress School in Ellis County, as well as schools in Arnot and Hillsboro. It was in Hill County where she met Olin Dumas, who was to become her husband on January 23, 1936. Their devotion, love and time together was to last for over 68 years. She served as a Training Union teacher for many years at First Baptist Church in Hillsboro. Zada joined the church on April 28, 1940 and was a faithful member for more than 64 years. Although not a musician herself, her greatest pleasures came from the worship in music at her church. Growing up and marrying during the Great Depression had a profound impact on her. She was extremely frugal and resourceful in providing for her family. She was a very discriminating shopper, routinely thinking nothing of going to two or three stores to save pennies on food for her family. She made do for herself, but was generous and giving in every way to her family and friends. Although she did not have what one traditionally thinks of as a hobby, she did love to be outside and enjoy her yard. Whether it was attacking weeds with her hoe which she did well into her eighties, or delighting in picking up and shelling pecans to use in desserts to share with her family, those were the times she was at her happiest. Zada was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Charles Dumas, on July 19, 2002; two sisters, Dorothy Abrams and Annabelle Kirkpatrick; and a brother, Waymon Meeks. Left to remember her love and care are her husband, Olin Dumas of Hillsboro; son, Stephen P. ?Pat? Dumas and wife, Jackie, of Hillsboro; daughter-in-law, Kay Dumas of Hillsboro; 3 grandchildren - David Dumas and wife, Melanie, of Crawford, Debbie Reutelhuber and husband, Eric, of Anna, and Matt Dumas of Tyler; and also 5 great-grandchildren - Derek, Brittany, Dillon, and Sydney Dumas of Crawford, and Ian Reutelhuber of Anna. The family requests that anyone wishing to make a memorial direct them to the church she loved so much, First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 271, Hillsboro, TX 76645.