Not everyone gets the chance to pave the way for others, but Delores "Dolly" Brumfield White was one of those who was given that wonderful opportunity.  Because of women like her, sports for girls would never be the same.

Delores Brumfield White was born May 26, 1932 in Pritchard Alabama, to Earl Henry and Miriam Turner Brumfield.  She was the one of three children born to this union: brother Earl Lamar and sister Mary Helen (Polly).  She is preceded in death by her husband Joe Herman White, parents, and brother.

Dee, as she was known by her friends, "Puddin or Pud" by Alabama family, Dolly, a name given to her by Chet Grant, by her baseball family; played her final inning and left the field on May 29, 2020 at Hillcrest Nursing Facility in Prescott, Arkansas.

Dee is survived by her sister Polly, 8 Mile, Alabama.  Nieces- Pat Loe (David) Prescott, Arkansas; Laura Brumfield, Withrop, Washington; Miriam Brumfield, Spokane, Washington; Nephews- Tony and John Brumfield both of San Diego, California; Jeff Godwin, 8 Mile, Alabama.  Members of her Wild Bunch and a host of family and friends.

Dolly's life was anything but ordinary.  Growing up in the Mobile area she played Sandlot ball and was good at it.  She was given the opportunity, at the young age of 14, to begin a life that many dreamed of.  She left the comforts and security of home and family for an adventure that would change not only her life but the lives of others through the years.  Dee was called to try out for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in Havana, Cuba in 1947, thus began her Field of Dreams.  Many double headers, all night bus rides to the next town, not to mention injuries of the game-was the life that she would live for the next 6 years.  During World War 2, the reason Mr. Wrigley started the Girls in Baseball league, because the men were "OFF AT WAR", girls were not given the opportunity for an education, they were to stay home and take care of their families.  That was not the life that would be for Dolly.  She saved her money from baseball contracts so she could obtain a degree in physical education.  She wanted to make a difference in the lives of others-giving them the desire for an education, a chance to do something that others had not done and be independent.

Baseball was the highlight of her youth.  She started her baseball career with the South Bend Blue Sox, coached by Chet Grant, the Notre Dame football player who gave her the name Dolly.  When Chet left to coach the Kenosha Comets, he chose her from a pool of players.  Dee gave Chet a lot of the credit for her success in the league.  In 1952 she was traded to the Fort Wayne Daisies, a team that was coached by Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx.  During the season she was struggling until Foxx moved her to first base for a double header.  During the game she went 6 for 8, which included a homerun.  This display prompted Foxx to give her the position for the regular season.  Near the end of this season she broke her ankle in a home plate collision and missed the remainder of the season and the playoffs.  During her final year she was on fire, batting .332 and finishing her career second behind teammate Joanne Weaver, who had a .346 batting average.  This would be her final season due to anemia.  Desiring to finish her education she decided to concentrate on her college career now.

Baseball was her life but more than that it gave her the opportunity to change not only her life but the lives of so many others.  Education to Dolly was of the utmost importance.  It was essential for success.  She had been working on her degree during off season and graduated in 1954 from Alabama College for Women with a degree in health, physical education, and recreation.  She didn't just settle for the basic degree; she obtained her Master's (1959) and Doctoral (1969) Degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi. In 1963 she was on a trip to Russellville, applying for a job at Arkansas Tech University.  When driving through Arkadelphia, she decided to contact Henderson State Teachers College to see if they might have a teaching position.  She was given that chance.  Along with Coach Bettye Wallace they worked to pave the way for women in sports in Arkansas.  During her career Coach "B", as she was called by her students, touched the lives of thousands of students.  She was tough but it was because she cared and wanted the best for each of them.

Dee has been honored with many awards:  1998 induction into the Reddie Hall of Honor; 2003 first base coach for the South lawn tee ball game at the White House; 2004 University of Montevallo Distinguished Alumni Award; and the grand slam in 2007- the naming of the Dr. Delores "Dolly" Brumfield-White Softball field at Henderson State University.  It gave her great pleasure driving to the field and watching girls play the sport that gave her a chance to be more than just another girl from Alabama.

Never look back and regret what might have been or think on past mistakes-take the bat, step up to the plate and swing for the fence. Aunt Dee swung for the fence and now the life she lived will be the legacy that will forever be remembered.  She was definitely in "A league of her own."

By her wishes Dee will be buried by her grandmother Leola in Mobile, Alabama.  For those who wish to remember her in some way, please donate to the Henderson Reddies Softball team.