Mary Dutton

Mary Frances Ball Dutton went to her mansion over the hilltop Tuesday, March 30, 2010 after a brief illness. She was born in Rabbit Patch Arkansas on November 7, 1922 to A.L. and Grace Ball.

Mary graduated at age 16 as Valedictorian of her class at Strong High School in Strong, Arkansas. She then attended El Dorado Jr. College. She married Bob Dutton in Knoxville, TN and they made their home in Borger, Texas. Her outgoing personality made her successful in a variety of jobs. She taught school, worked in retail sales, and was a feature writer of the Borger News Herald and Lamb County Leader News. She was also the Public Relations Director for Frank Phillips College. Mary was a best selling author. Her novel Thorpe was a Book of the Month Selection, and a Literary Guild Selection. It was published in England and Germany as well as being chosen for Books for the Blind. Thorpe was also a made for TV movie. She was honored by the Girl Scouts as a Woman of Distinction, and was an honorary member of Beta Sigma Phi. She was a member of Altrusa Club of Borger.

She is survived by her sons, Dr. Richard Dutton and wife Barbara of Palestine, TX and Bob W. Dutton and wife Lettie of Midland, TX daughter, Becky Gruver and husband Davis of Littlefield five granddaughters, Michelle Berry and husband Rev. Scott Berry, Denise Jordan and husband Chuck, Robin Cookston and husband Jeff, Lara Weber and husband Steve, Amy Gravitt and husband Russell, and one grandson, Jason Gruver a sister Meda Sellers and husband Dean of Duncan, OK and numerous nieces and nephews. Waiting for her in Heaven were her parents her husband of 35 years, Bob a brother A.L. Jr. and a sister, Grace Ball Windwehen.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday April 5, 2010 at MintonChatwell Funeral Home Chapel in Borger, Texas with Rev. Scott Berry of FBC Southlake officiating. Interment will follow in Highland Park Cemetery in Borger, TX. The family will receive friends at Hillcrest Funeral Home in Littlefield Friday, April 2, 2010 from 5 to 6 p.m. Arrangements are under the personal care of Hillcrest Funeral Home of Littlefield and MintonChatwell Funeral Home in Borger.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to The Arthritis Foundation or charity of your choice.

Visitation

MintonChatwell Funeral Home
314 S. Hedgecoke
Borger, TX  79007
Sunday, April 4, 2010
6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Service

Funeral

Minton Memorial Chapel
314 S. Hedgecoke
Borger, TX  79007
Monday, April 5, 2010
11:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Highland Park CemeteryH
931 Sterling St.
Borger, TX  79007