Dolores (Ordonez) Guzman

Dolores Guzman, age 95, of Lawton, Oklahoma, formerly of Morristown, passed away, Sunday, April 18, 2021 at her home surrounded by her loved ones.

She was preceded in death by her husband, US Army SGT (Retired) Alfredo N. Guzman, Sr; her mother, Marie Ordonez; twin sister, Dora Hardy; brother Eduardo.

She is survived by her children, Rose Parella and husband, Steve of Morristown, TN, Alfredo O. Guzman, Jr. of Lawton, OK, Aurora McDaniel and husband, Les of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Bonnie Guzman of Lawton, OK, Tony Guzman and his wife, The Honorable Justice Eva Guzman of the Texas Supreme Court of Cypress, TX, Eddie Guzman and wife, Mary of Powell, TN; grandchildren, Mark Gavina and wife, Allyson, Shawn Parella and wife, Suzanne, Kayla and Emily Guzman, Melanie Guzman; great-grandchildren; Aubrey Puletasi and Sonny, John Henry, Zayden, and Ellie; great-great grandchildren, Kason and Kylo.

Dolores was born March 26, 1926 in Momax, Zacatecas, Mexico.  She was raised in El Paso, TX by her adopted mother, Marie Ordonez.  She married her husband, US Army SGT (Retired) Alfredo N. Guzman, Sr. on May 13, 1950 in Las Cruces, New Mexico.  A military wife, she raised six children throughout Alfredo’s military assignments and career.  Through all of the military moves and transfers, the one constant for the family was Dolores’s passion to make every place a home, filled with love, fun, family, and friends.  While living in Lawton, Dolores worked many years at Thunderbird Bowling in the nursery area.  She enjoyed caring and watching the infants grow into their teens.

Dolores was a strong believer in community service and demonstrated this behavior as a volunteer for many years at Lakeway Hospital in Morristown.  Always welcoming with a smile on her face and providing directions to those in need.  She was an active participant with the St. Patrick’s Catholic Women’s Ministry and her passion, the Hispanic ministry.  Dolores would enjoy distributing food to the needy at the Daily Bread in Morristown.  Dolores also volunteered in the Lawton community working the Crisis Hotline as a volunteer.

She loved reading the newspaper and her People magazines.  She enjoyed watching basketball, listening to music, and shopping.  She was always dressed to impress in her bright bold colors, her bedazzled jewelry and her purses.

Dolores achieved most of her joy by spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.  When calling her children, because of her strong faith in God, she would always end her conversation with “Say Your Prayers!”  Alfredo and Dolores created a magical world for their family, filled with special moments and memories.  From Santa visits on Christmas Eve to Easter egg hunts at Lake Helen, trips to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, as well as annual vacation trips, to El Paso, TX and Lordsburg, New Mexico visiting relatives and friends.

After military retirement they settled in Lawton and raised their six children in the Lawton Public School System.  Dolores also appreciated the value of an education and would often visit her children’s schools meeting with the principals and teachers.  They were active members with Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Lawton, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus in Morristown, TN.

Services were held in Lawton, OK before being returned to Morristown, TN for services and burial here.

The family will receive friends Thursday, April 29, 2021 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church from 10:00 AM. – 11:00 A.M.  A funeral mass will follow at 11:00 A.M. with Father Miguel Velez-Cardona officiating. Burial will follow at Jefferson Memorial Gardens in Jefferson City, TN.

Arrangements by Stetzer-Bales Funeral Home.

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