Dana Jo Self of Madill, Oklahoma, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 30, 2017, at the age of 72 after a long well-fought battle with lung cancer at the home of her daughter, Tracy, surrounded by her loving family. Dana was born on March 15, 1945, in Chickasha, Oklahoma, to James Clark Dowdy and Edith Louise McHugh Dowdy. She was raised in Ada, Oklahoma, and later moved to Madill with her family in 1960. Dana graduated from Madill High School in 1963. She attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University and was just shy of earning her teaching degree when she decided raising her two daughters and being a stay-at-home mom was more important. Out of a life well lived of giving and loving on others, she always said her greatest and most important accomplishment in life was being a mother. She took great joy in raising her girls spending countless hours using reverse psychology, being a mom taxi service, substitute teaching, and volunteering at school parties where she loved taking her famous Red Slush Punch and Rice Krispy Treats. There was no denying she was an amazing cook and holiday time boasted some of her best dishes. Throughout her life, she took on other adventures which included owning Dowdy’s Liquor Store, worked at two daycares in Madill, and also had her own in-home daycare where she cared for two of her grand-daughters, great nephews, and many babies throughout the community. She loved babies and cared for them as they were her own. She worked for her sister at Singer Sewing Center in Ardmore for several years as well. Later in life, she absolutely loved spending time and bragging on her grandchildren and found great joy in buying them just about anything they wanted. She introduced her girls to Elvis music, loved to dance, and had a sense of humor that lasted her whole life. She never met a stranger, could carry on a conversation for hours, and could tell an amazing story even if the story might not be her own. Most importantly, she showed us what is was to fight the battle of her life with bravery, grace, dignity, honor and faith. She was an amazing mother, Mokie, sister, and Aunt Jo Jo, who will be missed greatly for the extraordinary role she played in all of our lives. We would not be who we are today without her love and self-sacrificing spirit. She was a member of Oakview Baptist Church.

She is survived by:
Sister:Jamie and Dan Orr, Madill, Oklahoma

Daughters:Susie and Bryan Church, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Tracy and Bobby Szenasi, Madill, Oklahoma

Grandchildren:Landon and Kristen Church, Katy, Texas
Lynsie Church, Benton, Arkansas
Anzlee Szenasi, Madill, Oklahoma
Paizlee Szenasi, Madill, Oklahoma

Great Grandchildren: Liam and Harper Church, Katy, Texas

Nieces:Toby and Chad Coble, Madill, Oklahoma
Brooke and Dusty Pruitt, Madill, Oklahoma

Nephew:Justin Dowdy, Dallas, Texas

Four great-nephews, and one great-niece.

Dana was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, and one nephew.