Dorothy Mae Delaplain Escamilla, 94, passed away peacefully at her home in Fittstown, Oklahoma, on February 15th, 2025. Born in Seminole, Oklahoma, on December 27th, 1930, she was one of seven children. Her parents, James and Zuleme Delaplain, of Harden City, instilled in her a deep faith, an abiding work ethic, a love for God’s creation and all humanity, and an openness to the wider world.
Dorothy attended McLish Schools in Stonewall, where she excelled in her studies as well as basketball. She was part of the 1949 Oklahoma state championship-winning girl’s basketball team, and she and her sister, Linda, were later inducted into the Oklahoma High School Girls Basketball Hall of Fame. Dorothy also studied piano and violin as a youth, opening the way to a lifetime vocation of music and music education.
Dorothy enrolled in the University of Oklahoma to study music education. While home from OU one weekend, Dorothy met Roberto Escamilla, a young seminary student from SMU who was serving as a guest preacher at the Fittstown Methodist Church. The two were married on December 24, 1954, and celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this past Christmas Eve. Roberto often shares his conviction that all that he has accomplished in his own life is due to Dorothy’s support and encouragement.
Dorothy received degrees from University of Oklahoma, SMU, and Peabody College, and taught elementary and music education for nearly forty years in the public schools in Dallas, San Antonio, Nashville, and New Jersey.
Dorothy had a sense that the world was her home, providing her with a global view that allowed her to openly embrace other cultures. During her lifetime she traveled to all seven continents, including a particularly memorable trip to Antarctica. Besides her love for travel, Dorothy also enjoyed literature, music, gardening, tree-planting, cooking, nature, and the arts, inspiring her own children and grandchildren, many of whom have been deeply involved in these endeavors as well.
In retirement, Dorothy and Roberto returned to Pontotoc County, where she became an active member of the Ada First United Methodist Church and the Ada community. She sang in the chancel choir for over twenty years, was a faithful member of the Fellowship Sunday School class, and participated actively in the church’s United Methodist Women/United Women in Faith unit, actively reading from that group’s annual book list.
Dorothy died in her home in the care of her family. Her last activities included gazing out the west picture window at sunset, observing the birds at their backyard feeders and bird bath, and reciting poetry and singing hymns. Some of the last lines she recited from the hymnal were these: “I know not what the future hath of marvel or surprise, assured alone that life and death God’s mercy underlies.”
Dorothy is survived by her husband, Roberto, on staff at First Methodist Church, Ada as Emeritus Minister of Evangelism; her four children, Dorothy Marlene Williams of Denver, CO, Robert James of Lourinha, Portugal, Paul Lynd (Elizabeth) of Houston, TX, and David Louis of San Antonio, TX; ten grandchildren: Sarah Elizabeth Schwab (Matthew), Grace Ann Escamilla (Mark Graves), David Luke Escamilla, Sonja Mae Miriam Escamilla, Devin Ramsay Williams (Genta), Shelby Claire Doby (Colin), Reid Gragson Williams (Farah), Joshua Roberto Escamilla (Bolu Idowu), Anna Kathryn Escamilla, and Angela Carli Escamilla; and four great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, and a growing number of great-nieces and nephews.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, James Lisle and Zuleme Laverne Gragson Delaplain, and six siblings, including her twin brother, Donald Louis Delaplain, her brothers James Lisle Delaplain Jr. and Robert Paul Delaplain, and her sisters, Eunice Delaplain Graham, Carol Delaplain Bennett, and Linda Irene Delaplain Stephens.
The family extends their gratitude to the caregivers who helped Dorothy through her illness, including Karry Cheadle, Nicole Lewis, Kimberlie Mann, and Alyce Nevins; as well as the many expressions of love and support offered by extended family, the church, and the Ada community.
A celebration of Dorothy’s life is scheduled for Friday, February 21st at 2:00 p.m. at First Methodist Church, Ada, with a burial to follow at Highland Cemetery, Stonewall.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to First Methodist Church, Ada, 129 W. 14th Street, Ada, OK 74820; or to United Methodist Women/United Women in Faith (UWFAITH.ORG).
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
