Dorothy Sue Bedford

On July 5, 2023, Dorothy Sue Bedford, affectionately known as “Sudy”, 93, passed away peacefully at her home in Midland, Texas surrounded by loved ones. Sudy was born on February 24, 1930 in San Angelo, Texas to Darrel Burrows Wright and Edith Montae Nabors Wright.

Sudy grew up in San Angelo, Midland, Coleman, and Eastland where she graduated from Eastland High School as Queen of the Maverick Court. After graduating in 1946, she attended Sul Ross University where she was selected to the Royal Coronation Court. She then transferred to Texas Tech University in Lubbock and became a member of the inaugural chapter of Pi Beta Phi sorority. Sudy enjoyed telling the story of being selected as a La Ventana Beauty at Texas Tech, but having to borrow a swimsuit to participate.

Although she met the love of her life as a teenager at a church picnic, it wasn’t until July 24, 1948 that she married her husband of 65 years, Hilory George (H.G.) Bedford at First Christian Church in San Angelo. Two years later, 1950, they moved to the family ranch in Springer, New Mexico. For the next six years she lived the life of a rancher’s wife cooking for the cowboys, caring for the ranch, and as she would proudly say, “helping out with the round-ups when we were shorthanded.” In 1952, Sudy and H.G. welcomed their first daughter, Beverly.

In 1956, she and H.G. moved to what would become her final permanent hometown, Midland, Texas. Shortly after her arrival in Midland, they were blessed with their second daughter, Lisa, and then their youngest daughter, Nita.

For the next 67 years she was fully devoted to what she considered the only priorities in her life: her faith, her family, and her friends.

Sudy and H.G. were longtime members of First Christian Church of Midland, where Sudy taught Sunday School for 15 years and served as a Deaconess. She was a firm believer in Jesus Christ as her Savior and departed this life with a confidence and optimism of going home to see her Savior.

Being the “active” Mother of three daughters, Sudy wholeheartedly supported and participated in all of her girls’ activities from ballet recitals, to swimming meets and tennis tournaments, cheerleading, to weddings. The next chapter of her life came with the birth of her grandchildren. Just the mention of her grandchildren brought a warmth and smile to her face, and an inquiring conversation about their current activities and well-being.

Sudy’s involvement in family and friends was never passive. She was an active participant in many aspects of the Midland community. She served as a long time member of the Junior League of Midland, Midland Symphony Guild, Contemporary Study Club, Los Cochinos Dinner Club, President of the Minuet Club, Board Member of the Midland Country Club Ladies’ Association, Midland Country Club Tennis Board, and a Midland Memorial Hospital Volunteer. She actively played competitive tennis well into her seventies and won the Midland CC Women’s Doubles Championship three times. Sudy enjoyed spending afternoons playing a serious game of Bridge.

Sudy was preceded in death by her husband H, G. Bedford, her parents Darrel and Edith Wright, her sister Helen Kirkpatrick, and her brother Charles Powell.

She is survived by daughters Beverly Drummond (Gene), Lisa Sams (Lourcey), Nita Floyd (Stephen) all of Midland, Brother Harry Wright (Elizabeth) of San Antonio; Grandchildren: Brent Drummond (Mindy) of Midland, Erin Lucas (Gary) of Midland, Wright Drummond of Midland, Hilory Davis of Kentucky, Hunter Davis of Midland, Hil Fradenburg (Taylor) of Midland, George Fradenburg (Kathryn Layne) of Boerne, Texas, and Anna Coleman (Brad) of Madison Mississippi; Great Grandchildren: Brooke Sams, Finley Jane Drummond, Eleanor Sue Lucas, John Bedford Fradenburg, Ellie Todd Coleman.

The family would like to express our deep gratitude and appreciation to Petra Martinez, Esmeralda Aranda, and Melissa Valenzuela for their constant love and exceptional care for our Mother, along with Cecelia, Claire, and Kayla with Hospice Midland.

A private family graveside service will be held at Resthaven Friday, July 14 at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice Midland (911 W Texas Ave, Midland, TX 79701), Lone Star Sanctuary for Animals (4200 N. Fairgrounds Road, Midland, TX 79705), or First Christian Church (1301 W. Louisiana Ave, Midland, TX 79701).

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.

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