Published: May 20, 2009 10:56 pm      

Elora Watkins Dale

Aug. 8, 1922 — May 16, 2009

Elora peacefully drifted into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ surrounded by her family at home, on May 16, 2009.

In honor of Elora Dale, a celebration of her life will take place at 2 p.m., Thursday, May 21, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in College Station, Texas. The Rev. Terry Tekyl and Rev. Bruce Wood will officiate.

Elora was born in Palestine, Texas, the daughter of Willis Macedonia Watkins and Corrine Elora Walker. Willis Watkins had a professional photography studio and Corinne was a registered nurse. During the Great Depression, the Watkins were known to help those less fortunate by offering them a home cooked meal. Elora loved to read and play the violin.

Elora graduated from Texas State College for Women (TWU) with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1942. Instead of pursing a career at Johns Hopkins Hospital, she married her childhood sweetheart, Don R. Dale at the Little Chapel in the Woods, at TWU on June 1, 1942. In 1947, Don, Elora and their daughter Donna moved to College Station where they made their home. In addition to raising her children, Donna, Chris, Dixie and Debra, Elora taught elementary at A&M Consolidated Elementary School, South Knoll and College Hills where she taught her students a love of learning and life. Her students still remember her fondly. In 1969, Elora pursued a Master’s Degree in Counseling at Texas A&M University. Elora followed her passions with action — becoming an advocate for the education of children with special needs, specifically the deaf and hearing impaired. She was also instrumental in organizing the Brazos Valley Stroke Support group.

Elora was heavily involved in the community, including the La Villita Chapter of the DAR, the Campus Study Club, UMW at A&M Methodist Church where she and Don were members. Don and Elora are probably best remembered in College Station for Pooh’s Park, a skating and amusement park on Texas Avenue, across from the water tower. Elora could often be found behind the counter at the concession stand serving treats with a smile.

Carrying on the legacy of her parents, Elora was a lifelong Christian who led by example and lived the Gospel in addition to teaching it. She poured her life into encouraging others to reach beyond themselves to fulfill their God-given potential. Elora was always eager to lend a helping hand and was always quick to forgive and comfort those in need. In the midst of her ever-expanding library, (from which she was always loaning out books), there are multiple Bibles with her careful notes written in the margins. Her parents’ love for God’s word flowed down through her into her children, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and throughout the community.

Known as “Grammy” to her 11 grandchildren, Misty Smith, Greg Mogle, Mary Margaret Evans-Mitterling, Micah-Paul Mogle, Hannah Elora Mogle Sawin, Christopher Evans, Jacob Evans, Cristal Dale Rosser, Christopher Agee “Cody” Dale III, Corrine Amanda Dale and Kendall Dale, her grandchildren always knew that in addition to the treats that Grammy always offered “one for each hand”, they would find unconditional love and encouragement through the darkest times. No one could ever go beyond the reach of Grammy’s love.

God blessed her with long life and to see her children’s children’s children — her great-grandchildren Miriam, Josef, Jonathan, Haley, Jonah, Sara, Riley, Talia, Christian and Caleb.

Elora was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Raymond Dale. Survivors include one son, Chris and his wife Janette of College Station, and three daughters, Donna and Dr. Richard Mogle of College Station, Dixie Dale of Bryan, Debra and Kent Evans of Talladega, Ala.; 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.

Proverbs 17:6 NIV

Elora and her family are very thankful for the friendship and support of Neil Smith (Elora’s adopted son), Richard D. Talbert, Dr. F. Nery Flores, Dr. Joseph Kraft, Dr. Nolan Shipman, Dr. R. Malcolm Stewart, Dr. Thomas Weber, Dr. Joseph Roman and Village Food Pharmacists — Al Lenoir, Jim Killingsworth and Justin Crouch. Special thanks to the crew at American Home Patient and to the caring staff at Hospice Brazos Valley.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: The American Diabetes Association — 1-800-342-2383, The American Parkinson’s Association — 1-800-223-2732, The American Heart Association — 1-800-242-8721, or your favorite charity.

Please leave condolences at www.CallawayJones.com.