Dovie Gaither

Dovie was born on February 20, 1934, to Willie Lucille (Crisp) Leister and LeRoy Bismark Leister in Eldorado, Oklahoma. Dovie grew up in Lawton with her five siblings, where her family owned a music store. Thus began her musical journey.

Dovie graduated from Lawton High School in 1952. She then attended Cameron Junior College studying piano before transferring to the University of Oklahoma in 1954. She graduated in 1957 with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy.

Dovie was teaching English and vocal music in Lawton, Oklahoma when she met her life partner Douglas Gaither, while rehearsing the musical, Once Upon a Mattress. The couple married on June 1, 1968. Doug’s final deployment was in Germany, when the family moved to the army base in Heidelberg in 1969. They settled in Tulsa upon their return in 1974 where they remained for 30 years.

Desiring another adventure, she and Doug moved to Eastport, Maine, where they helped found the Passamaquoddy Bay Symphony Orchestra in which Dovie played the cello. She was also a strong supporter of the arts. Dovie and Doug became beloved members of the community. Five years ago, they returned to the Midwest to be closer to family.

Music remained an integral part of Dovie’s life. She taught vocal music, played the cello, piano, and the accordion, and was an avid folk dancer for almost fifty years. She loved languages and taught French, German, and English over the years. Always intellectually curious, she studied Balkan history and music as well as current world affairs. Dovie loved learning about other cultures through travel. She also appreciated nature, our relationship to the world, and how she could better advocate for our place in it. She spread joy and lived her life passionately, and with vibrancy. She always chose to see the good in everyone and was optimistic about the possible.

Dovie is survived by husband, Douglas Gaither, daughters Sarah Wagner (partner Steven Darneal) and Jennifer Gaither (husband Ian Murphy), step-son James (wife Sherry) Morrow, grandchildren William Pitcock, Moses Gaither-Ganim, Adlai Gaither-Ganim, and Chris Morrow, and twin brother David (sister-in-law Martha) Leister and sister Sarah (brother-in-law Kenneth) Bridges, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews and dear friends.

Dovie was preceded in death by daughter Gretchen Gaither, parents Willie Lucille and LeRoy Bismark Leister, sisters Doris (husband Nels) Harveland and Klileen (husband George) Jones, and brother Edward Leister.