Dorthy Mae (Voyles) Sublett

Monday, January 6, 2003

TOPEKA, Kan. -- Dorthy Mae (Voyles) Sublett was born to Julius Wilson and Mattie Preston Voyles on Dec. 5, 1909, in Parker County, Texas, and passed away Wednesday (Jan. 1, 2003) at her home in Topeka, Kan., at the age of 93.

She married Carl T. Sublett, Jan. 9, 1933, and to this union two children were born; Kenneth Merle who lived just eight days, and Laverta May (Mrs. Don Murphy).

Dorthy, Carl and Laverta moved from the Texas Panhandle to Liberal, Kan., in 1953, where Carl worked in the oil field and Dorthy worked part-time at a laundromat, a motel and in the circulation department of the daily paper. Carl passed away in 1971, and when Laverta, Don and their four children moved to McCook in 1976, she moved there too. She lived in the Lazy L Mobile Park near Laverta and Don until health problems made living alone a concern and then moved with them and remained there until her passing. Her family and church have been her interests through the years. She was a member of the Egan Park Baptist Church in McCook where she attended faithfully until failing health.

As was her lifestyle, she accepted the move to Topeka in September 2002, as another adjustment in life.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Carl; infant son; three sisters; and two brothers.

Survivors include her daughter, Laverta and husband, Don Murphy of Topeka; grandson, Stan Murphy and wife, Yvonne and their children, Donovan and Jillian all of Topeka; granddaughter, Sharla and husband, Bruce Johnson and children Calli and Kyle of Valentine, Bruce's daughter, Kim and husband, Evan Hiser and son, Dylan of Lincoln, Bruce's son, Scott Johnson and wife, Erin of Omaha; grandson, Stuart Murphy of Los Angeles, Calif.; grandson, Steve Murphy and wife, Lara and daughter, Seeley May of Topeka; sister, Juanita Holman of Bolivar, Mo.; and eight nieces and nephews.

Her faith in God has been an inspiration to her family through the years.

Mrs. Sublett will lie in state Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town. Funeral services will be Monday, 10:30 a.m., in the First Southern Baptist Church in Topeka. Graveside services will be Tuesday, 10 a.m., in the Liberal City Cemetery at Liberal.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 837 South Hillside, Wichita, KS 67211.

Penwell-Gabel Mid Town of Topeka is in charge of arrangements.