Lena Ouitona Dodge

Many things can be said about Lena Ouitona Dodge. Known to friends and acquaintances as a friendly, energetic, empathic and decisive woman, her compassionate nature would always shine through, revealing her charm, warmth and conscientious demeanor. She was warmhearted, gentle and organized in all the things she sought to accomplish. Lena was a mentor, a natural “teacher” capable of seeing things clearly, leading others and bringing out the best in all of those around her. She generally had a focus on harmony and peace.

Lena was born on October 17, 1931 at Baldwyn Hospital in Baldwyn, Mississippi. Her parents were Hosea Rex Duncan and Laura Arnold Duncan. Lena was raised in Baldwyn, Mississippi. When she was young, Lena's friends and family found that “straightforward” and “honest” were perfect words to describe her. Even as a child, Lena demonstrated strong qualities of self-confidence, perceptive ability and a disposition that was enjoyable to those around her.

Lena grew up with three siblings. She had two older sisters, Earline and Rubel and one older brother, Sidney. Lena was constantly involved in all sorts of activities with her family. She was even-tempered, taking care not to get involved in too many family conflicts. This quality served her well, in perpetually bringing harmony, understanding and a sense of peace to the family. Lena carried these traits into her adult life and served as one of many reasons why family and friends found her pleasurable and delightful to be around. Lena was a person who genuinely understood and cared for others, making powerful connections with those she knew.

During her high school years, Lena had a natural flair for cheering on and applauding just about everyone. She was constantly offering her support and encouragement to fellow members of the groups and activities in which she participated. She graduated from Baldwyn High School in 1949. She did well in school and genuinely enjoyed telling stories in a way that drew people to her. In this way, Lena had a talent for becoming the center of attention, a kind of social catalyst. Lena was often found to be the lead person facilitating a group activity, frequently filling the role of being “the life of the party.” Teachers and classmates knew Lena as an excellent listener. She placed a high value on learning and always understood that there was a new lesson to be grasped waiting for her just around the corner. The teacher she enjoyed learning from the most was Mrs. Baker.

Always considered a “good” friend, Lena sought to understand the things that others enjoyed. For this reason Lena always seemed to possess a never-ending collection of acquaintances. Lena’s friends found her easy to know and get along with because of her talent for being socially at ease, adept at conversation, and always amiable in her dealings with others. Lena would always seek to learn what her friends enjoyed, and she would go out of her way to make sure that their needs were met. Lena was always seen as the type of person who was the more gracious giver. In fact, she sometimes felt ill at ease when she was the one on the receiving end. Throughout her life she had many friends. While growing up, some of her best friends were Alene Ryan and Gloria Heflin. Later in life, she became friends with Alene Ryan and Gloria Heflin.

On November 22, 1975 Lena married Thomas Hugh Dodge at the Chapel of the Bells of Las Vegas, Nevada. Compassionate and devoted, Lena worked hard to make her new family happy. She was always generous with her time and this meant that Thomas came first in Lena’s book. She was always caring and made certain that she considered Thomas’s feelings. By trusting her emotions, Lena did her best to make sure that both the marriage and home life ran smoothly. This is just one more example of how Lena was truly a person of empathy.

Lena’s quality of being a caring and tolerant person who was very accepting of others translated to being a good mother to her children. Lena shared these values with her four children, two daughters, Rhonda and Cherry and two sons, Jon and Jim. Lena was also blessed with six grandchildren, Brandon, Stephen, Catie, Dallas, Blake and Haley and three great-grandchildren Rian, Jason and Brooklyn. Lena related well to children of all ages and was able to connect to them on their level. The children always loved her and she was completely and totally devoted to them.

Lena experienced success in her work life over and over again. Her primary occupation was owner/operator of Rick's Pizza in Big Bear Lake, California. She was employed for 14 years. Lena always made the effort to understand what was needed at work, and was well known by her colleagues as a team player. Lena took pride in managing her professional responsibilities and seemed to always know what was necessary to successfully complete a project. Lena was one to take the initiative and her skills at working cooperatively were highly valued. Lena continually sought to learn what her co-workers did well and how they were most effective, a talent that enabled her to help them develop their own potential.

Because she was organized and methodical, Lena took great pleasure in her various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were bowling, knitting and pottery. Lena enjoyed sharing her passions with others and could singularly focus on one hobby at a time.

Lena derived much satisfaction from sports. Because she was so instinctive and could always grasp the big picture, Lena delighted in the strategy and inner workings of a competition. Recreational sports included bowling, water skiing and softball. Lena was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite teams' events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were golf, football (San Diego Chargers and Dallas Cowboys fan).

Throughout her life, Lena was actively involved in professional and community organizations. With a talent for focusing in on exactly what was required to be completed, Lena was known to her peers as being able to strengthen any group endeavor. When called on, Lena was a natural leader who created harmony and good relationships within the group, often putting her own needs aside. Lena’s involvement could easily help structure and organize any part of an organization. An added benefit was Lena’s ability to bring valued principles along with her. In high school, Lena was a member of the FHA.

Lena was well known to others for her ability to naturally and conscientiously move into action to help others, a quality that placed her as an active contributor to many community activities. Charismatic by nature, she was always viewed by others as someone who built bridges, connected to people, and upheld her personal values. Politically, Lena was a Republican.

Lena’s faith was important to her. She was a member First Christian Church in Baldwyn Mississippi for 19 years. She was compassionate and warm hearted, someone who truly cared for others and that was clearly demonstrated in her work with the congregation.

Lena enjoyed traveling, and because she was so well organized, she would take on the responsibility of planning and scheduling all of the family vacations. Her gift for keeping things lively meant that vacations with Lena were always enjoyable. Favorite vacations included Alaska, Las Vegas and anywhere the motor home would go.

Lena was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of Lena's favorite was Pierre, a Poodle dog. They were best friends for 12 years. Her family was rounded out by her Cockatiels.

When Lena’s retirement finally came in 1992, she was well prepared. Being the focused and organized person that she was, Lena had taken care to plan for this part of her life. When that time eventually arrived, Lena knew exactly what she wanted to do. Her new life involved enjoying her home in Big Bear Lake and traveling with Tom in the motor home. In retirement, she found pleasure in traveling. Even in retirement, Lena continued to stay in touch with her old friends and made plenty of new acquaintances. She was active in the community and felt fulfilled.

Lena passed away on January 23, 2011 at home. She is survived by her husband Tom, her daughters Cherry, Rhonda (Eddie), son Jon, brother Sidney, all her grandchildren and many friends who loved her. Services were held at Custer Christiansen Chapel in Covina, California.

Throughout her life, Lena was a gregarious and enthusiastic woman. She was generous in sharing her personal attributes, giving and helping those she knew and loved. She would often fill the role of coach, bringing out the best in everyone. She was imaginative, original, tender hearted and easy to get along with. Lena leaves behind her a legacy of life-long friendships and cherished memories. Everyone whose lives she touched will dearly remember Lena Ouitona Dodge.