Mary "Dodie" Swilley Vestal

Dodie was born in El Dorado on December 14, 1925, to Nancy Medora Swilley and John Wharton Swilley. She was active in the community for decades and was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church in El Dorado.

Members of Dodie’s family came to Union County in the 1840s, as a result of which she was related to numerous people throughout the county. She had many, many friends for whom she cared very much.

Dodie lived in El Dorado all of her life, being away only for college and to be with her new husband while he completed his graduate degree in petroleum engineering at the University of Oklahoma.

Dodie graduated in 1943 from El Dorado High School and then graduated in 1947 from Lindenwood College in Saint Charles, Missouri.

In December of 1946, Dodie married Jack Vestal of Arkadelphia, who had just returned from serving with the Army in Europe. She and Jack had two children, Caroline and John, who grew up in El Dorado.

Dodie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sister (Sarah Callaway of Midland and Fort Worth), her brother (John Swilley of Crossett), her son-in-law (John (Jack) Ponsford of Birmingham), and her great grandson William Nicholas Vestal.

Dodie is survived by her two children, John Vestal and his wife Jennifer of Seattle, Washington, and Caroline Ponsford of Birmingham, Alabama; four grandchildren, Andrew Vestal and his wife Teresa of Seattle, Charles Vestal and his wife Caitlin of Berlin, Germany; Emily Goforth and her husband Matt of Birmingham; and Julia (Julie) Kirkpatrick and her husband Scott of Birmingham; and six great-grandchildren: Ada Vestal of Seattle, Orson Vestal of Berlin, Jack and Luke Goforth of Birmingham, and Olivia and Henry Ellis of Birmingham.

Dodie was a loving mother with a caring heart and a generous spirit. Her deep and abiding interest in others brought her many friendships. She is missed by family and friends.

Dodie wished that the family express her gratitude to everyone in El Dorado, who blessed her life. The family is grateful for the dear friendship and great kindness of Leola Brown and John Hay through much of her life. The family would like to thank Ashley Bowman, Wanda Pursley, and Melanie Powell for their devoted and attentive care in recent months, which greatly improved Dodie’s quality of life.

Due to Covid-19, there will not be a visitation or memorial service at this time.

Instead of flowers, any memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice or to the First Methodist Church, 201 S. Hill Street, El Dorado, AR 71730

Arrangements have been entrusted to Young’s Funeral Directors. Online condolences may be expressed at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.