O death, where is thy sting O grave, where is thy victory Judith Dawson Rayburn, 71, left this world on April 1, 2013 in Oklahoma City. Born to the eminent Nazarene minister and theologian, Rev. Dr. Clyde C. Dawson and Beatrice Maness Dawson in Fairbury, NE, she spent her youth in Ohio and her beloved Colorado before studying at Bethany Nazarene College 1959-1963. She had a four-decade career in Oklahoma as an educator, teaching thousands of high school and college students in OKC, Miami, Cashion, Crescent, and Guthrie to use the English language and learn the treasures of its literature. Several generations of students remember her as a tough instructor who challenged them to reach their full potential and raise their goals to a college education and beyond, and she became a widely respected and beloved mentor to many hundreds as a result. The Rayburns and Dawsons remember her as a cerebral, talented, creative dynamo who instilled in her family a love of arts, literature, history, and thought. Throughout her life, she identified herself foremost as a wife, mother, and grandmother, and her proudest accomplishment was the raising of her children and grandchildren. Her husband of 33 years was Johnny Rayburn of Bella Vista, AR, who served as an educator alongside her and survives her. She is also survived by her son, Lieutenant Colonel Joel Rayburn, U.S. Army, of Washington, DC and daughter, Hilary Rayburn of Bethany, OK. She will be remembered lovingly as "Mimi" by her grandchildren Joel Rayburn, Jr. (10) and Rachel Rayburn (8) of Riverview, FL, Olivia Blevins (3) of Bethany, and Diana Rayburn (2) of Washington, DC. Her family and friends will celebrate her life at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 6, at Mercer-Adams Funeral Home at 3925 N. Asbury in Bethany, OK 73008. Memorial Service Saturday, April 6, 2013 11:00 AM Mercer-Adams Chapel 3925 N. Asbury Bethany, OK 73008