Brown Cemetery

Tecumseh, Pottatomie County, Oklahoma

© Cooper Funeral Home
Submitted by: Terry Dudley

Dora Mae "Tacker" Banning Mitchell

December 24, 1925 ~ December 24, 2024

Dora Mae Mitchell "Tacker", age 99, of Shawnee, Oklahoma passed away on December 24, 2024 in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

She was born December 24, 1925 in Macomb, Oklahoma to Frank and Myrtle (Bartholomew) Banning.

Mae lived in several places, including California and Colorado but mostly in Tecumseh, Oklahoma.

She graduated as Salutatorian at Macomb High School in 1942, then earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Oklahoma in 1953. In 1969, Mae completed her Master Degree in Special Education from Central State College.

Mae and her first husband, C.J. Tacker, wed in 1945 and to that marriage they happily had 2 children. In 1953 they moved to Pueblo, Colorado where Tammara entered their life, then Jimmy in 1959, in Oklahoma. They built a house on a farm in Tecumseh, Oklahoma and moved there in 1963, where they raised cattle and had a big garden every year. Mae also enjoyed painting, volunteering with Hospice, and serving in her church.

Mae's teaching career started in 1943 in Little Axe, Oklahoma. She then taught in Norman, Oklahoma, then Pueblo, Colorado for two years. In 1957, Mae and C.J. moved to Midwest City where she dedicated the next 20 years of her career to teaching Special Education. Mae taught special education in Midwest City, at Shawnee Junior High, at Edmond Junior High, and later she served as a Principal at Faith 7 School in Shawnee for four years.

Mae and C.J enjoyed teaching, traveling, and gardening. They enjoyed many family trips to Roaring River State Park. Mae was an excellent fisherwoman, perhaps the best! They organized and managed an RV travel club and immensely enjoyed traveling with friends. Jim passed away in 1996.

Spring of 1998 Mae met Bill Mitchell where they were both members of the travel RV Club. The two began meeting once a week but quickly turned into every day. In July of 1998, they married and moved to Gunnison, Colorado where Bill pastored a church. Bill became pastor of a church in Vivian, Oklahoma then the First Baptist Church in Sparks, Oklahoma where they stayed for 3 1/2 years. In February of 2016, due to failing health, Mae and Bill moved to Primrose Retirement Community where they continued to live.

Mae lived her faith everyday, in every way. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to many. She dearly loved all of her family, and graciously hosted family picnics, holiday meals, family reunions, welcoming all, always. Her positive attitude, love for her family, and faith in God were immeasurable and abounding. She never said a harsh word, always encouraged, always loved wholeheartedly. Mae and her beautiful soul will be missed by many.

Mae is preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Myrtle Banning; first husband, C.J. Tacker; daughter, Tammara Tacker; brothers, Harvey, Leo and Lester Banning, and step-son Michael Mitchell.

Survivors include her husband of the home, Bill Mitchell; son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Dana Tacker of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; step-son and wife Danny and Jeri Mitchell of Maud, Oklahoma; step-daughter and husband, Janet and John Proodian of Palm Desert, California; and step daughter-in-law Denise Mitchell of Dayton, Ohio;

Eight grandchildren: Merrick McGuire and wife Tracey of Edmond, Oklahoma, Jordan Tacker of Los Angeles, California, Joshua Tacker of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Philip Tacker of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, David Proodian of Palm Desert, California, Elena Proodian of Palm Desert, Meridith Keith and husband Jon of Denver, Colorado, and David Mitchell of Dayton, Ohio;

Six great-grandchildren, Nova Rae McGuire, Elias Houck, Jubilee, Jak, Micah, and Gloria Keith, and many nieces, nephews and other extended family and friends.

Closed casket visitation will be 10:00 a.m.to 8:00 p.m., Friday, December 27, 2024. Service will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday December 28, 2024 at Cooper Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Jessica Higgins officiating. Burial will follow at Brown Cemetery under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.

Mae's family extend our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Jeri and Danny Mitchell, Heartland Hospice of Shawnee, Primrose staff, and private caregiver Glenda, for their loving care and dedication to Mae.