Wednesday, May 8, 2024
At their last meeting, Morris Federation members were entertained by M.J. Wofford, who presented a program on Dale Evans.
Wofford earned a bachelor’s from Baylor University and a master’s from the University of Texas, with majors in history and English. She taught in secondary schools and community colleges in Texas and Arizona. After marrying Louis Wofford, the couple decided to retire and build a house in Leakey, Texas.
While they were visiting in nearby Uvalde, they stumbled upon a small museum in the Janey Slaughter Briscoe Grand Opera House. There they learned that Uvalde was the birthplace of Dale Evans. One thing led to another, and she began to research Dale Evans as well as meet some friends and family members who knew Dale and Roy Rogers, and were willing to share some of their stories with her. Wofford’s interest grew into a desire to do a program on Dale Evans.
Her story was much more than a biographical collection of names, places, dates, and events. It dealt with Dale’s life from her childhood (born Frances Octavia Smith) to the family’s move to Arkansas. There, she flourished in school, skipping two grades, and made her first commitment to Jesus. She played piano and loved to sing and dance (sometimes down the aisle at church during a lively gospel song). At age 14, she started noticing boys and eloped with Thomas Fredrick Fox. A year later, she found herself deserted at age 15 with a baby (Tom) to raise. Wofford follows Dale through her struggles to find a job in music or at a radio station in Memphis, Chicago, Louisville, Dallas and Chicago once again. It was during her time in Louisville at station WHAS that producers changed her name to Dale Evans because it was easier to remember and easier for DJs to pronounce. While there, she was contacted by a Hollywood agent who heard her sing “Shine on Harvest Moon” and wanted her to fly out for a screen test. She had a horrendous flight, endured a big makeover, but received a contract from 20th Century Fox. Wofford can fill in funny details about Dale’s trip and arrival in California. The picture was shelved when Pearl Harbor was attacked, and the U.S. entered World War II.
Republic movies wanted to feature Dale in a western-flavored musical starring Roy Rogers who was becoming very famous. (His original name was Leonard Franklin Slye). Eventually she ended up working with Roy, who gave her many tips on riding a horse since she had not been on one since age seven. She didn’t know which side of the horse to get up on and had to be shown how to hold the reins. More than once, Roy came to her rescue, literally. The first movie they made was “The Cowboy and the Señorita.” Dale went on to make about 30 movies and was paired up with Roy in nine films.
Roy and his wife, Arlene, had one adopted daughter, Cheryl, and one daughter of their own, Linda Lou. They were awaiting the birth of a son, Roy Jr. “Dusty,” but sadly Arlene died shortly after his birth. Time passed, and Dale and Roy developed a rapport based on their struggles and difficulties. Gradually, they became more attracted to one another, and in 1947, they were married.
Wofford spoke of their very late wedding ceremony, as well about Roy’s suggestion on the second night of their honeymoon to go on a raccoon hunt. It was Dale’s first and last raccoon hunt.
A child, Robin Elizabeth, was born to them a little over a year later. She had Down Syndrome. Doctors advised the parents to put her in an institution as soon as possible, but Roy said, “We’ll just take her home and raise her the best we can and trust the rest to God.” She died before age two. Dale’s book, “Angel Unaware,” was about Robin.
Roy and Dale went on to adopt four more children and to foster one more. They were Debbie, a North Korean orphan, who was killed in a bus/car accident on her way home from a Christian meeting (Dale wrote another book, “Dearest Debbie,” about her); an abused child, John David “Sandy,” who died after a drinking binge in Germany, celebrating his earning his stripes; and Mary Little Doe “Dodie” who was Native American. The home’s policy was only to adopt Native Americans to a family with at least one parent of that heritage. Roy had some Choctaw heritage. The last child was a foster child from Scotland, Marion or “Mimi,” but she was always considered an adoptee. Three of the children are still living: Cheryl, Dusty and Dodie.
Of course, Dale and Roy became famous and made many contributions to the entertainment business, both in movies and television. They received numerous accolades – two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, induction into many Cowboy/Cowgirl Halls of Fame, and recognition for their acting careers, as well as for their music, devotion to Christianity, concern for orphans and disabled children, and for their adopted family. Dale wrote over 200 songs and quite a number of books. Roy died in 1998, after more than 51 years of marriage. Dale Evans died in 2001, but in her wheelchair, she was still doing a Christian show called “A Date with Dale.”
Wofford shared many personal and funny stories gleaned from talking with friends and family who knew Dale best. Her presentation was a true tribute to Dale (and Roy), revealing so much about their character and personality and the legacy they left behind.
