Independent Enterprise
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Eldora "Dodie" Marie Cox Grace, 84, of Payette, went home to her Lord, Tuesday, July 3, 2007 at her daughter’s home. Funeral services were held Monday, July 9, 2007 at the First Baptist Church, Payette with Pastor David Lawson officiating. Interment followed at Riverside Cemetery, Payette. Funeral services and arrangements are under the direction of Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, Payette. Condolences may be made to the family at www.shaffer-jensenchapel.com
Dodie was born to Anderson and Nora (Ross) Cox on March 16, 1923 on the family farm in the Annex area of Weiser, Idaho. She was one of nine children. Her great-grandfather Ruben Cox and his family helped originally settle the Caldwell area in 1864.
Dodie married Herman Kautz in 1939. They had two sons but later divorced. On July 4, 1946 she married Raymond A. Grace in Weiser. This union bore three children. In 1974 she was widowed and married Marvin (Buss) Shelton. Even though they eventually divorced, they remained good friends.
Dodie and Ray raised their family in Payette. She was an immaculate housekeeper, good cook and took excellent care of her family by making a home where she served them with loving care.
Dodie loved music and began playing piano at an early age. As members of bands and gospel groups, she and Ray played music throughout the Treasure Valley. Without formal training her natural, God given talent showed through and brought much joy to all her family and friends. In her later years she felt called to witness through music. She and her children loved to entertain at nursing homes and care centers.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church and its choir, the Old Time Fiddler’s Association, Single Older Loveable Ones (SOLO) and a Foster Grandparent at Head Start.
A dedicated prayer warrior, Dodie kept detailed lists of others in need of prayer. She read her Bible daily, she baked a mean chocolate cake with fudge frosting and she was a champion at crossword puzzles. Dodie adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She taught them all to say "Too-da-loo!" She loved to laugh, play games and tell funny stories.
Dodie is survived by her five children, Jerry Kautz of Payette, Red (Sharrell) Kautz of Fruitland, Kathy (Walter) Garman of Payette, Jo Ann (Ron) Shurtleff of Payette, and Randy Grace of Spokane, Wash.; 20 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, 5 great great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray; her parents; eight brothers and sisters; and three grandchildren.
The family would like to thank Dr. Andrew Peterson, Holy Rosary Medical Center, and a special thanks to Heart and Home Hospice for the loving care for our mom.
Memorials may be made to Heart ‘n Home Hospice or Gideons International, c/o Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, P.O. Box 730, Payette, Idaho 83661.