McALESTER — Dorothy Elizabeth Tummel Land went to be with the Lord on March 16, 2013. A life celebration will be held on March 20th, 1 PM at the First Baptist Church, McAlester, OK officiated by Rev. Rodney Briggs, interment will follow in Memory Gardens Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family will greet friends 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Bishop Funeral Service, McAlester, OK.

Dorothy was born August 5, 1921 as the only child of Carl Warren and Fannie Maude Tummel. She was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma but the family soon moved to Oklahoma City where she grew up and attended church and school. Growing up she enjoyed reading, music and poetry. She began playing the piano at an early age and taught piano and organ lessons for over 60 years. Dorothy graduated from Classen High School in Oklahoma City as valedictorian of her class of 1939.

In 1939 she went to Oklahoma Baptist University where she met Joe Ray who became her husband and lifelong partner in God’s ministry. Her talents in music, teaching, children, youth and prayerful listening have been God’s gifts to their ministry. At OBU Dorothy studied Physics, English and French. She only lacked 10 credit hours for her degree when Dorothy and Joe Ray were married Aug 25, 1942 and entered Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where Joe Ray continued to prepare for the ministry.

Joe Ray completed his Master of Theology in May 1945 and Dorothy had enough hours to get her degree also but couldn’t because she had not finished at OBU. Among the courses she studied in Seminary were Hebrew and Greek. Even into her senior years she was fond of quoting the first few verses of Genesis in Hebrew. During their seminary years God blessed their home with a daughter, Marian Elisabeth. The home was later blessed with two sons: John Robert and David Ray. All are presently active in their churches and serving the Lord.

Dorothy and Joe Ray served at many churches in Oklahoma together. She taught children and youth and played the piano or organ. The ministries included churches in Hunter, Bennington, Fort Cobb, Thomas, Bartlesville, Shattuck, and McAlester. In 1968 Joe Ray was called as Director of Missions at Pittsburg Baptist Association here in McAlester. Dorothy later joined him working as office secretary and helping pastors and other church staff as they came to the office.

Dorothy taught piano at their home to many hundreds of students over the years. She kept this up until 2005 when she finally moved away from McAlester. She also played either piano or organ at each of the churches where they served together. One thing she always insisted that her pupils learn to play the hymns along with their other music. As they became more accomplished she taught them how to follow a music director as accompanists so that they could use their talents in churches.

After Joe Ray’s death in 2001 she became the church accompanist for Trinity Baptist Church in McAlester for several years. She continued to enjoy playing music the rest of her life.

We rest assured that Dorothy Land stands strong and whole again, singing praises before the Lord and probably playing the piano. We look forward to the day that we too may stand "cleansed by the blood" at the feet of our Lord Jesus.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Fannie Tummel and her beloved husband, Joe Ray Land.

Dorothy is survived by her three children and their spouses, Maribeth Laster, John Land and David Land. She has six grandchildren, Scott Trimble, Kathryn Laster, Allison Olsen, Jennifer Land, Julie Taylor, Jeremy Land, Andrea Ryan and Erin Land. She also has eight great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be: Bob Chapman, Troyce Tolson, Rev. W. Lee “Dub” Brown, Doyle Copeland, Rev. William Nixon.