On December 31, 1917, the small population of Beggs, Oklahoma increased by one when Lonnie and Fannie Henderson welcomed their first daughter, Dovie Mae into the world.

Dovie Henderson married Florence "Nit" Alfred in the 1940's. Together they raised one daughter and five sons. Dovie was an active member with the Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church Choir and Mission until her health began to fail.

Truly God was the head of her life and family was the center of her joy. Dovie raised her family on a foundation of love, family unity, to be thoughtful of others and to always come back home for Sunday dinner. Her traditional Sunday feast fed the family, visitors and half the traffic traveling through Beggs on Highway 16! "Plenty of good food in the kitchen" or "ya'll kids help yourself" is what she used to say.

Dovie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two brothers, Lonnie and Lawrence Henderson and a daughter, Jean Ann Craig-Johnson.

Precious memories remain for; her sons, Kenneth Craig, LeRoy Alfred, Bobby [Carolyn] Alfred, all of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Darrell [Linda] Alfred and Craig[Stacye] Alfred, all of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; her brothers, Richard [Janie] Henderson, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Herbert "Tip" [Renette] Henderson, Beggs, Oklahoma; her sisters, Priscilla Wallace, Okmulgee, Oklahoma and Jessie Gibbs, Tulsa, Oklahoma; a caravan of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends

Into your hands, I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, the God of truth and faithfulness.
Psalm 31: 5

The final hour will be on Saturday, February 25, 2006 at 1:00 P.M. in the Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church, west of Beggs. Reverend Ernest Joe Lewis will officiate. Burial will follow in New Post Oak Cemetery.

You may visit Mrs. Alfred on Friday from 12 Noon to 6 PM at the funeral home in Okmulgee.