Dorothy Fae McCord

Dorothy Fae (Brown) McCord, a lifelong resident of Comanche, was released from the earthen vessel of her body, passing peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, who were singing hymns to her, on Tuesday evening, March 12, 2024, at Elk Crossing Nursing, Duncan, following a brief illness. She was 86 years old. Dorothy is now in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, singing with the angelic host in the company of all the saints in heaven, where there is no sorrow or crying, no more sickness, nor oxygen machines, and is bathed in the perpetual light of her new heavenly home.

She has been reunited with the love of her life, her beloved husband, the Rev. Grady McCord, her beloved daughter Terrie Ann Case, beloved son-in-law Kenneth Case, her beloved granddaughter Rachel Orr, beloved great-granddaughter Makayla McEntire, her beloved parents Coral Granvel and Cleo (Calhoun) Brown, and her beloved siblings Lois Schornick, Laneva Kendall, Ruth Kitchens, Betty Murray, and Junior Brown, who preceded her in death. She is survived by five loving children, Debi McCord of Comanche, Brenda and Gene Cobb of Duncan, Pam McCord of Duncan, David McCord and Stephen Hendrickson of Florida, and Jamie and Todd Schroeder of Tulsa; nine grandchildren, Joshua Case, Codi Kenney, Derrick Hopkins, Jessica Martel, Brook McEntire, Justin McEntire, Jett Cobb, Mason Schroeder and Max Schroeder; nine great-grandchildren, Tyler Case, Taylor Case, Connor Kenney, Makenzie Sorrell, Gage Allie, Sadie Allie, Conner Hopkins, Carson Hopkins and Jillian Orr; one great-great grandchild, Ivy Orr; and two brothers, Jerry Brown of Duncan and Larry Brown of Kansas City.

Dorothy was born on Nov. 21, 1937 in Frederick, of parents Cleo (Calhoun) and Coral Granvel Brown, the first of eight children. Her first school was a little one room schoolhouse out in the country in Grandfield. After living several years in Texas, the Brown family moved to Comanche, where she went to high school. One Friday night, on a trip to the movie theater, she met Grady McCord, who was working there. Within days, Grady was serenading Dorothy at school, taking to her the movies on a date, beginning a courtship that would last a lifetime.

Within a year, Dorothy and Grady McCord were united in marriage on March 16, 1954, in Wichita Falls, Texas. When she and Grady married, Dorothy brought all of her earthly possessions in a brown paper bag, not even owning a suitcase. After several years of living in Utah while Grady worked in the oil fields, the family returned to the Comanche area where they lived for the rest of their lives. By the age of 25, Dorothy already had five children.

Dorothy was the “pastor’s wife” of the Jesus Name Church in Comanche (now Ray of Hope Church) for over 20 years. In that generation, the role of the minister’s wife was an all-encompassing one, including everything from cleaning the church, preparing meals, being a constant encourager of parishioners, and much other hard work behind the scenes, with seldom an acknowledgement or a thank you – it was simply “part of the job.” She was there with all six of her children every time the church doors were open. Her ministry included leading the Ladies for Christ group, teaching Sunday school, caring for babies in the nursery, and being the personal counselor for many parishioners. She was also a renowned cook, able to put together a meal after church at a moment’s notice for any and all guests who Grady might invite – sometimes as many as 30!

Early in Grady’s career, the McCord family went through lean times, as Grady’s income as a house painter would suffer from seasonal fluctuations, especially during the winter. Despite this, Dorothy always put a gracious meal on the table for the McCord family, even when, as she would say, “we’re down to the last can of Campbell’s soup.” Prayers were answered in that kitchen, as somehow, the Campbell’s soup can never ran out. Her children and grandchildren always knew they could just drop by, with or without notice, and enjoy a wonderful meal thanks to Dorothy’s culinary hospitality.

She was a good mama.

Dorothy was a beautiful woman, and she loved beautiful things. She always had a lovely home and took great pride in keeping it spotless. In the 1970’s, she was known for her beehive hairdo and her Jackie O sunglasses. If the saying is true, “the higher the hair, the closer to God,” then Dorothy was truly closer to God.

Aside from being the pastor’s wife, she had to get six children ready for every church service, and she took great pride in her children looking their best. Her children would say that she was “the queen of Dippity-do” and that they were perhaps too well scrubbed behind the ears.

Dorothy was a devout Christian, and loved, and was loved by, her church family at the Ray of Hope Church. Dorothy is also grateful for the many wonderful caregivers in her senior years, including at Elk Crossing Nursing for the past several years, and prior to that, at Chisholm Trail Assisted Living for many years, as well as caregiving from friends Linda Watson, Aimee Gordon and Anita Randolph.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, March 15 at Ray of Hope Church, with Rev. Mike McCord officiating, under the direction of Comanche Funeral Home. The visitation will be 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. The family will receive friends 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday evening. Serving as pallbearers will be Todd, Mason and Max Schroeder, Joshua, Taylor and Tyler Case, Derrick and Conner Hopkins and Albert Martel.