Lucy Dale Whitfield

Lucy Dale Whitfield, known to her family as "Mother Dear," was born on December 26, 1927, in Gould, Arkansas. She was the ninth (9lh) of thirteen (13) children born to Elder Hules Dale, Sr., and Tuckcora Pritchett Dale. Lucy attended both elementary and high school in Gould, where she lived most of her life, and also attended cosmetology school. She deeply loved her family and was very much loved and cherished by all of her family and friends. Lucy loved to laugh and to make others laugh. In 1945, she met and married her husband of 65 years, Benjamin F. Whitfield, Sr., in Gould, Arkansas. To them, six: (6) children, Benjamin, Sherman, Larry, Sender Reatha, Narma (Naomi), and Levette, were born. 

Lucy loved spending time with her family. She was a Christian, introduced to Christ as a child by her parents at the Gould Church of God in Christ. She became a devoted member and Mother of the Church at Kingdom Builders Outreach, Church of God in Christ for over thirty years in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. She is the recipient of many plaques and awards for her church work. In her later years, she established her own "Outreach" ministry, calling many family and friends daily to check in on them and to uplift their days. She called it her mission work. 
Lucy was an avid and lifelong supporter of civil rights. In 1965, she was elected President of the Gould Citizens for Progress. Its membership was made up of the African American women, men, and children of Gould; its focus was to fight against discrimination with the main emphasis on fighting for voting rights for African Americans in Lincoln County, Arkansas. She was known for her forthright, plain-speaking, no-nonsense manner. One never needed to question where Lucy stood on an issue. She made it abundantly clear.

 
Lucy loved to cook. Whether it was a special occasion or just a routine supper, one was always and forever blessed to be favored with an invitation to dine at Lucy's table. Fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes, mustard greens, and cornbread were her specialties, but her pound cake was legendary! She always had one on the kitchen table to welcome her guests, she sent one home with her children when they came to visit, and she sold them to many others that had moved all across the country when they yearned for the simple taste of home. 

Lucy was called to her eternal home on April 26, 2021, after a short illness. God blessed us with her presence for 93 years. She will be sorely missed by many but will be there waiting to welcome home those that call Jesus their Lord and Savior. 

Lucy was preceded in death by her husband Benjamin F. Whitfield, Sr.; mother Tuckcora Dale; father Hules Dale, Sr.; the Dale brothers, Elworth, Curtis, Jack, Richard, Clarence, Hen}lan and Pritchett; and her sisters Reatha Dale Brown, Ruth Dale Hudson, and Laverne Dale James (husband Joseph James). 

Lucy leaves to mourn and to cherish her memory her sister Francis Dale, her youngest brother Hules Dale, Jr. (wife Ola), all six of her children, Benjamin, Jr. (wife Rose Mary), Sherman (wife Paula), Larry, Sender Reatha Perry, Naomi Lewis, LevetteWhitfield; fifteen (15) loving grandchildren, a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and a multitude of very dear and special friends., 

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown." II Timothy 4: 7"

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