Once upon a time, one hundred years ago on March 26th, a little girl named Dora Lucille Martin Dexter was born. Please join us as we celebrate her special day on Saturday, March 25th at 1 p.m. at the American Legion Building, 803 Spring Street, Iuka, Mississippi. She would love to see all the children that she babysat through the years.
Lucille, affectionately known as MawMaw Dexter, was the first of four children born to Clarence Martin, Sr. and Ruth Yarber Martin, her siblings were Clarence (Brother) Martin, Jr. (deceased), Mack Lloyd Martin (deceased) and Diane Martin Lomenick, deceased.
Lucille attended Snowdown School in Iuka, Mississippi. She graduated from the 8th grade at Snowdown, then attended Iuka Separate School through the 11th grade.
She married Clinton Dexter on April 21, 1939. Clinton passed away November 25th, 2013. They were married for 74 years. They were blessed with four children, Randy Dexter, Donna Dexter Hudson (Jimmy), Danny Dexter (Connie,) and Kristy Dexter Hudson (deceased). She has 7 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Lucille worked for Genesco Shoe Company in Iuka for ten years. After leaving Genesco, she started baby-sitting for some of her grandchildren which led to her baby-sitting for years for many children in Iuka, thus acquiring the loving name of MawMaw Dexter.
She always had a big garden and enjoyed canning fruits and vegetables for her family. And even today, she cans any garden produce that her family and friends bring to her.
Her most favorite thing to do is cook and bake for her family. Two of her most requested cakes (from scratch) are Strawberry and Italian Cream cakes. She still cooks Sunday lunch and loves when all of her family can be together.
She loves flowers and one can always find beautiful flowers growing in her yard. Side note: From her son, Danny, her yard was and still is a pain to mow due to the many flowers and flower beds that she has.
In her spare time, she would embroider quilt blocks, pillow cases, scarves, etc. She also loves to read and work word puzzles. She is an active member of the Hot Dotz Bunco Group. She plays Bunco once a month and is known as the Bunco Queen!
Her son, Danny, takes her to see Janie Carson at the beauty shop weekly to get her hair done.
She is one strong lady and her faith in God is even stronger. She has survived the Great Depression, the pandemic, cancer, and raising her children and a lot of other children in Iuka. She is an inspiration to her family and friends. Her unconditional love will endure forever and she is deeply loved by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.