Robbie "Jean" Gray Dahlman (1931-2008)

Obituary

Springfield News-Leader, 15 Mar 2008

Robbie "Jean" Dahlman, 76, Mt. Vernon, passed away at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, 2008, in the Lawrence County Manor, Mt. Vernon. Robbie Jean was born September 14, 1931, in Poteau, Oklahoma, to Henry Edgar and Edith Jane (Mercer) Gray. She graduated from High School in Panola Oklahoma and then attended Wilburton Jr. College. She graduated from Southeastern State College in Durant Oklahoma and received a master's degree in Home Economics from Texas State College for Women in Denton, Texas. She taught Home Economics for two years before losing her eyesight. She attended the school for the blind in Little Rock Arkansas, where she met her husband, Leo Dahlman, who was also a student. They were married February 16, 1964. He preceded her in death on March 6, 2007. Beginning in 1966, she began her career as a caseworker for the State of Missouri, teaching the blind to live independently. Her first assignment was in Sikeston Missouri. Then in 1974, her job brought them to Springfield, where they made their home for the next 31 years. She never considered being blind a handicap and was always cheerful and happy. She was a member of the South Haven Baptist Church in Springfield. Survivors include: two brothers, Ruben Gray, Nashville, Tennessee, and Ralph Gray and wife Wanda, Poteau Oklahoma; two sisters, Rena Moore and husband Jim, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Reba Griffin and husband Phillip, Porter, Texas; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Joe and Kathryn Dahlman, Mt. Vernon; 18 nieces and nephews; 25 great-nieces and nephews; and 10 great-great-nieces and nephews. Her parents; and one brother, Raymond Gray, preceded her in death. Graveside services, under the direction of Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home, Mt. Vernon, will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, March 17, in the Maple Park Cemetery, Springfield, with Rev. Hubert Conway officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home Sunday, from 2 to 5 p.m.. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Community Hospice, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.fossettmosherfuneralhome.com