Viola May “Dug” McDougal

Viola May Dugdale McDougal, 87, known to many as “Dug”, “Mac”, “Mom Mac”, “Mema”, “Grandma”, or “Vi”, entered into the complete joy of Jesus Christ’s promised eternal kingdom, August 31, 2012.  

Born in Onawa, Iowa on Christmas Day, to Thomas & Dolly Dugdale, Vi became the youngest of 4 siblings, raised during a tough era on the farm.  She met the love of her life, Richard T. McDougal, son of John T. and Lucile C. McDougal of Maryville, MO, on the tennis court at Huron College, SD in 1942, where Richard was in flight training as an Army Air Corps Cadet.  

Their partnership resumed over Christmas break while she was studying for the Nurse Cadet Corps at Washington University in St. Louis, MO. They married on Feb. 1, 1947, before spending 6 months apart, so she could complete her B.S. degree in nursing. She moved to Maryville, “Dick’s hometown, where 4 of their 6 children were born.  

In 1959, the McDougals moved to Oklahoma City, where 2 more sons were born, enlarging the family to 8.  After Richard died of a heart attack in 1966, Viola re-entered her nursing profession, to support her family, spending many years working as a registered nurse, first at St. Anthony, then South Community Hospitals.  She helped Dick’s cardiologist open the hospital’s CCU/ICU unit, seeking to prevent similar losses to others.

Viola was a faithful member of Southwest Christian Church, which became New Hope Christian Church after a merger.  She served as an elder & Sunday School teacher in her congregation for many years, and in various Department & committee leadership roles.   She was President of Christian Women’s Fellowship for many terms, participated in Church Women United, & sang in the church choir.

She often represented her congregation at Regional & General Church Assemblies.  She was named Elder Emeritus after her health failed.Viola was a lifetime bridge player & athlete: a lifeguard in her youth, tennis, softball player, & accomplished bowler, as a member of the Women’s International Bowling Congress, something she also shared with her husband.

She enjoyed traveling leagues, & local leagues at Penn 44, Meridian, Moore & Holiday Lanes.  

Viola dedicated her life to taking care of her family &many others. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas & Dolly Dugdale, husband Richard, sister Charlotte Hvistendahl, and brothers Melvin & Lawrence Dugdale.  

She will be remembered by her children, Larry McDougal, Connie Overstreet & husband Scott; Sue McDougal & husband Newell Williams, John McDougal & wife Pam, Brian McDougal & wife Sandy, Robert McDougal & wife Lynn, Sisters-in-Law Arlene Dugdale & JoAnn McDougal, Grandchildren Kristi Hubble & husband Ron, Kameron Overstreet and wife Christy, Shannon McDougal, Brittany McDougal, Kristin McDougal, Mac Williams, Coert Williams, Ryan McDougal, Allison McDougal, Errett Williams, Anna McDougal, Marshall McDougal,  Abigail McDougal, Morgan McDougal, Maycie McDougal, & Molly McDougal, Great Grandchildren; Kieran Overstreet, Logan Hubble, Bryan Hubble, Easton Hubble, Kate Overstreet, Kara Overstreet, & Colin Overstreet, & a host of extended family and beloved friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the following ministries: Week of Compassion, Disciples of Christ Historical Society, or Association of Disciples Musicians by mailing c/o the Office of General Minister and President, P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206.

There will be a Service of Celebration of her Life held at 10:00 AM Saturday, September 8, 2012 at New Hope Christian Church (12323 S. Penn). Friends may offer condolences at www.vondelsmithmortuary.com.