Evelyn Dormalee Dawes, beloved sister, aunt, and friend, 90 years, 9 months, and 2 days old, was welcomed into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior on June 22, 2026 in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Dorma was the second child born to Elmer Milton Ritter and Mona June (Lewis) Ritter on September 20, 1935, in the family home near Ripley, Oklahoma. She grew up in Payne County, attending schools at Eureka and Quay before graduating from Yale High School in Yale, Oklahoma, with the Class of 1953.

Following graduation, Dorma worked as a waitress at Sib's Café in Yale. She continued her career in Yale, first working for Henry Henson Chevrolet and later for Don Berry Motor Company.

On March 4, 1956, she married Lloyd Bertram Dawes at First Baptist Church in Yale, the same church where she had been baptized. In June 1959, Lloyd and Dorma relocated to the Oklahoma City area after Lloyd accepted an engineering position with Oklahoma Gas & Electric. Dorma initially worked as a title clerk for Downtown Chevrolet before beginning a successful career in the insurance industry.

Dorma excelled in insurance and demonstrated exceptional leadership abilities throughout her career. She worked for Casualty Insurance of California before joining Hartford Insurance Company as a ratings clerk. Through dedication and hard work, she was promoted to Supervisor, a position that provided opportunities to travel to Hartford, Connecticut, on several occasions. On July 6, 1979, Dorma was appointed an Honorary Deputy Insurance Commissioner for the State of Oklahoma. She also served for many years as a commissioned Notary Public for the State of Oklahoma.

Together, Lloyd and Dorma enjoyed numerous entrepreneurial ventures, including their investment in MLD Trucking. They were active members of the Oklahoma Country Music Association and enthusiastically supported and promoted the local country music group featuring Johnny & Tammy Leen.

Dancing was one of their greatest joys, and they spent many evenings supporting friends and clients who performed in country music bands. They also enjoyed traveling throughout the United States in their motor home, visiting family and friends. Their travel increased even more after Dorma retired from Hartford Insurance Company in 1997.

Lloyd and Dorma shared 49 years of marriage before his passing on October 27, 2005. No children were born to this union.

Dorma was preceded in death by her father, Elmer Milton Ritter (1959); her mother, Mona June Ritter (1992); her husband, Lloyd Bertram Dawes (2005); her brother Geary Ronald Ritter (2012); her sister, Elmona Marie Potts (2013); and her brother, John Ransom Ritter (2017).

She is survived by one sister, Donna Kay (Ritter) and husband Ray Riley of Stillwater; numerous nieces and nephews; and many cherished friends.

Arrangements are entrusted to Strode Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held in the Strode Funeral Home Chapel located at 610 S. Duncan St., Stillwater, OK on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at 10:30AM.
Interment will follow in Lawson Cemetery, 3003 N. Lawson Rd., Yale, Oklahoma where she will rest eternally, beside her beloved husband.