News Headlines

Mattie Smith Obituary

Mangum Funeral Home

Center, Texas 75935

(936) 598-3341

Obituary Notice:

Mattie Imelda (McLendon) Dellinger

 

Mattie Imelda (McLendon) Dellinger, 101, lifelong resident of Center, passed away Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at her residence.

 

Services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 1, 2013 at First Baptist Church of Center with Bro. Michael Hale and Bro. Carl Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park. Two visitation times will be Friday May 31, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. and again from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Mangum Funeral Home.

 

Ms. Mattie was born October 1, 1911 in Center, Texas to M.B.” Bartow” McLendon, (born in Troy, Alabama from 1868-1933) and Carrie Elizabeth (Smithson) McLendon, (born March 22, 1885 in Grand Rivers, KY to 1985). Mattie joined and was baptized into the First Baptist Church, Center, at the age of 12. Mattie was a 1929 graduate of Center High School. She worked as a clerk after graduation at Perry Brothers for 6 months and Bridges Drug Store for 2 years; Mattie married L.L. “Pete” Dellinger, husband of nearly 33 years until his death in 1966, (he was born in Ben Lomand, AK, Pete was a pharmacist and grocer); She worked for the 2 Center newspapers for over 50 years and the radio stations for over 17 years. Some of Mattie’s credits include; worthy matron Order of Eastern Star in Center from 1940-41; secretary in County School Superintendent’s office; charter member of CHS Band Booster; PTA officer; WMU officer; active Sunday School member: charter member of Shelby County Historical Society; she operated her own news bureau for newspapers (state); member of Texas and National Press Women; was the  first woman appointed to the Board of the 4-H Foundation at A&M College; was named Texas Press Woman of the Year in 1983 for District 9; was honored by B &PW Club in Center by being named their Outstanding Woman of Year and in 1985 the Center Alumni Association elected Mattie to their Hall of Fame as a an outstanding Alumni. Mattie began her popular radio talk show, Mattie’s Party Line, in 1987. Social life and fun was the ’29 club of Flappers & Jelly Beans that lasted for 10 years. Mattie enjoyed all the trips made by 1st National Bank (Citizens Bank) Travel Club and in later life Mattie enjoyed the Monday Noon Lunches with her friends, Mildred Pinkston, Bobbie Covington, Syble Holt and Kathleen Parker.

 

She is preceded in death by her Parents, M.B. and Carrie McLendon, Husband, L.L. “Pete” Dellinger, Son, Dan Dellinger, Daughter-in-law, Ruby Dellinger, Sister, Lucy Lee (McLendon) Gregory, Brother, George Martin McLendon and Brother, Maurice Bartow McLendon.

 

She is survived by:
Daughter:
Dixie Lee Dellinger of Center

2 Granddaughters:

Denise Dellinger Oates & husband, Shepherd of Mesquite

Deborah Dellinger Young & husband, Jeff of Center

2 Great Grandsons:
Stephen Daniel Oates & wife, Leslie of Mesquite

David Young of Nacogdoches

Great Great Granddaughter:

Ryiot Oates

2 Nieces:

Lou Nell McLendon Jones of Houston

Cindy McLendon McCracken of Baton Rouge, LA

Nephew:
Stan McLendon of Humble

Great Nephew:
Shane McClendon of Houston

Cousins:
Jack Barron of Center

Billy McClendon of Houston

Numerous Nieces, Nephews, Cousins & Friends

Pallbearers:
John R. Smith, Buster Bounds, Jerry Pinkston,

Rob Payne, Chris Watlington & Ronnie Daniels

Honorary Pallbearers:
David Jacobs, Larry Ballard, Randy McLeroy,

Billy Poindexter, Joe Louis Jones, Tom Still, Willie Nelson,

A.J. Procell, Don Pinkston & James Paul Wilson
 

You may sign the online registry book at www.mangumfuneralhome.com

Services are under the direction of Mangum Funeral Home Center, Texas

Roughriders Sports

Family Features

Loading Family Features Content Widget
Loading Family Features Article