Dorothy Pauline Cushing

Dorothy Pauline Cushing Reed

89, a longtime resident of Stilwell, Oklahoma, passed away February 6, 2011 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She was born February 5, 1922 in Summers, Arkansas, the daughter of Virgil Beaty and Audra Rich Cushing.

Dorothy graduated from the Washington County Public School System. She worked for Loyd and Edna Luginbuel for 16 years. During her tenure with the Luginbuels Dorothy had many tasks, however her favorite job was tending to Loyd Wayne. Dorothy enjoyed spending time with the Luginbuel family, she thought of Edna as a second mother. The time spent with Loyd Wayne was very dear to her heart, the memories of their days together filled her with great joy. While living with the Luginbuels Dorothy met a very handsome and charming Ross Reed of Morrow, Arkansas. Dorothy shared her first date memories with her family, the relationship started on a date for a Coca Cola. Dorothy and Ross married August 5, 1956 at Lincoln United Methodist Church. Her wedding day was one of the best days of her life. Her life with Ross included a son, Connie, from his previous marriage. Dorothy enjoyed Connie and watching him grow up. She enjoyed his band performances with the Stilwell High School Marching Band.

While Dorothy and Ross lived in Stilwell, Dorothy worked at several local businesses. The Stilwell Mercantile, Parrots Jewelry and Jeans Dress Shop. Dorothy particularly enjoyed selling Merle Norman Cosmetics. Dorothy had a love for cats. She always had many in her life and always cared for the strays.

Dorothy enjoyed living in Stilwell and her many friends. Dorothy and her neighbor and good friend, Emma Dean Painter enjoyed two mile walks every morning until Dorothy was in her early eighties. Dorothy enjoyed spending time with Emma Dean’s daughter, Melissa Cole, who when she was little would spend countless hours at Ross and Dorothy’s house. One time she stayed a week before going back home across the street. Dorothy always made anyone feel welcome in her home. She enjoyed the company of James Berry and his sister Rebecca everyday for many years. Dorothy always talked very highly of both James and Rebecca.

Dorothy enjoyed her church family. She was very active working the food pantry, she was the leader of the church prayer chain until this past year. She was famous for her coconut creme pies. They were tasty.... Dorothy would arrive at church each Sunday 45 minutes before Sunday School so she could catch up with her dear friend Ruby Beard. Dorothy enjoyed the teasing she and J.D. Hudgens had for many years. She told us many times “he is always pulling something, that J.D. is crazy”. Dorothy would never miss a chance to hear the Stilwell Community Choir, she enjoyed them so much. Dorothy enjoyed shopping, in fact she may have even been considered a shopping pro.

Dorothy and Ross enjoyed traveling, they would go on Branson trips with their good friends, the Raines. Ross and Dorothy went to visit her niece Kaylene in San Antonio and made a quick trip over the border to Mexico. There was never a dull moment at the Reed house.

Dorothy enjoyed her grandsons, they were her world. The boys would spend many summers with their granddad and granddad. Dorothy would go to work everyday and each and everyday she would get a call about some type of mischief the boys were into. When the boys were younger she enjoyed buying them Buster Brown clothes. They wore well, she always said. Dorothy also enjoyed her great grandchildren Hanna and Jack. Jack and “Gran” made several adventures, one in particular was to the Stilwell Fire Department for a tour.

Dorothy lived a full life. She missed Ross dearly after his death. Each day she would look at his picture and talk about how much she loved him. In 2008 Dorothy suffered from a stroke upon her release from the hospital she had many care givers, one who was much more than an employee was Josephine Schin. Jose cared for Ross in his last days and Josie and Dorothy became very close. Josie would come every evening to spend the night. They would have dinner, put on their pj’s, eat ice cream, popcorn and watch Dancing with the Stars, once a week they would paint fingernails. It was called the Pajama Party. Josie would see every move that Dorothy made at night. She took great care of Dorothy. Many times Dorothy would say “when you come through that door at night it’s just different then when anyone else does”. Dorothy told

Josie, “your last name may not be Reed, but you are family to me.” Josie surprised Dorothy with a sweet toy poodle, which she named snowball. The two were never apart until Dorothy moved to Hot Springs.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Ross Reed, her parents and two brothers.

Survivors include one son, Connie Reed and his wife, Rachel of Springdale, Arkansas; two grandsons, Shawn Reed and his wife, Dawn of Fayetteville, Arkansas and Eric Reed and his wife, Jean of Brock, Texas; two great grandchildren, Jack Reed and Hanna Reed; one sister, Mildred Holland of Prairie Grove, Arkansas and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and friends.

The family will receive friends Saturday, February 12, 2011 from 1:00-2:30 P.M. with the funeral following at 3:00 P.M. at the Stilwell First United Methodist Church in Stilwell, Oklahoma. Burial will be in Bethesda Cemetery near Morrow, Arkansas. There will be no graveside services held at the cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Luginbuel Funeral Home of Prairie Grove, Arkansas. The complete obituary may be viewed on the Luginbuel Web Page. To sign the online guest book, visit www.luginbuel.com