AUGUSTA C. DUMAS
Augusta Cox Dumas, also known affectionately to many as “Gurlie,” 96, of Texarkana, Texas, and formerly of El Dorado, passed away on June 5, 2016 at the Cornerstone Retirement Home in Texarkana.
She was born May 1, 1920 to the late C.A. Cox and Clyda Greer Cox in Knoble.
Augusta was a devoted wife, loving mother and an awesome grandmother who spent most of her life as a proud resident of El Dorado. She was engaged in many civic volunteer endeavors and was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church. She was the past president of UMW State Board, received the UMW special missions recognition award, a long time circle leader, served on all the boards in the church, taught Sunday school, and was active in prayer ministry. She was a past president of Arkansas Federation of Garden Clubs as well as taught flower arranging classes to different organizations in Arkansas and Texas. Augusta was also a past president of Boys Club Auxiliary, active in Cub Scouts, Y-Teens, school activities and she taught manners classes. For over 30 years she served as Union County Fair manager. The last 10 years of her life were spent as a resident of the Methodist Retirement Community in Texarkana, Texas, where she was known as the “Butterfly Lady.” She still showed her love and kindness to all she met and continued her prayers for those around her and those in need. Even though she was in Texas, she continued to introduce herself and say “Hi, I am Augusta Dumas from El Dorado, Arkansas. Have you have been there? It’s a wonderful town!”
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Victor Dumas; and one brother, Charles Cox.
Those left behind to cherish in her loving memory are her children, Mary Ellen Dumas Gwinn (Delton) of Texarkana and Van Dumas (Sherry) of El Dorado; grandchildren, Vicki Gwinn Lorenzo (Gabe) of Long Grove, Ill., Rachel Gwinn (partner Janet Ross) of Nashville, Tenn., Vandy Dumas (Allison) of El Dorado, Candace Dumas Dunwoody (Robert) of Conway; 10 great-grandchildren; and very special friend, the Rev. Bonnie Harris, of Texarkana.
Visitation was held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, at Perry’s Funeral Chapels.
A graveside service followed at 2 p.m. Thursday at Arlington Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Bonnie Harris, CME Minister, officiating, under direction of Perry’s Funeral Chapels.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church in El Dorado (designated to UMW) and to Cornerstone Retirement Community, 4100 Moores Lane, Texarkana, TX 75503 or other organizations of your choice.
Augustas’ family wishes a special thank you to the many nurses, care givers and staff at Cornerstone for their love and care they have shown her throughout the years she was there.
An online guest registry is available at www.perrysfuneralchapels.com.