Mary Lu Dosier

It is with heavy hearts we are announcing the passing of Mary Lu Dosier on Thursday June 19, 2025 in Fayetteville NC while surrounded by family. She was born Mary Luana Hoke in Staten Island, NY, on July 25, 1944. Mary Lu is welcomed into Eternal Life by both of her parents, as well as her youngest brother. Her mother, Renee Evans Hoke, was a selfless, kind, and Catholic woman. Her father, Albert John Hoke, also a Catholic, was a WWII Coast Guard Veteran and New York City Police Officer. Her brother, John Peter Hoke, was the youngest of the four siblings. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Thomas Dosier of Fayetteville, NC, as well as her brother, Robert John Hoke of Staten Island, NY, her sister, Arlene Louise Creveling of Middlesex, NJ. Her children, Dawn Marie Swackhammer and husband Brac, Thomas Dosier Jr and wife Lisa - all of Carolina Beach, NC. Grandchildren, Aaron Scott Dosier and Brittney Ada Dosier, both of Newport News, VA Her great grandchildren, Alijah Zuriel and Ada Marie Jefferson.

Having been raised on Staten Island and graduating New Dorp High School with the Class of 1962, Mary Lu became a secretary in downtown Manhattan. She would then follow in her mother's footsteps and marry a man serving his country and community. She soon adjusted and learned the rigors of being an army wife, who must know how to survive and raise their family, when their husbands are constantly away from home. Lu, as most of us knew her, has always had a friendly, outgoing personality and she genuinely loves and cares about people. These traits helped her become a leader and driving force in establishing the first Family Support Group in Caserma Ederle, Italy. She was a counselor and mentor to younger Army wives teaching them the ins and outs of raising a family in the military overseas. Lu continued this work at Ft. Knox, KY, Ft. Hamiliton, NY, and Ft. Bragg, NC having never left a duty station without some wives coming by to express gratitude for her saving their marriages and their family.

For her own family she was also always working. She worked for the City of New York, the Fayetteville City School system, and multiple small businesses her and Tom operated in the Fayetteville area. After Tom’s Army retirement in the 1990’s they owned Tom & Lu’s Place, a custom picture framing shop offering the finest craftsmanship and works of art in the area. In 1998 they opened a franchise of the American Poolplayers Association becoming league operators of seven counties, starting with a mere 60 players to over 1600. Lu was the lead administrator of an expansive business that ultimately led to hundreds of new friends and counseling opportunities, becoming a Mama and Nana to everyone. Her proudest accomplishment was raising her own children, moving from one post to another across the country and around the world. Her daughter, Dawn Marie, became a nurse, and her son Thomas eventually became a fireman, both servants to their communities. She taught her children to be outstanding citizens and servants to others as she was.

Mary Lu loved and served the world as she was taught by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to him she would give the credit for the Love she shared. Her glowing light and love was undeniable and is available to all, through Him.

In lieu of flowers please consider a contribution to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in her honor. https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html

Services will be held:

Saturday June 28, 2025 at Reeves Funeral Home 3308 N. Main St. Hope Mills, NC

Gathering begins at 1 pm with the service beginning at 2 pm

Join us for a Celebration of Life immediately following at VFW Post #670 3928 Doc Bennett Rd. Fayetteville, NC