Mary passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. Mary was born in Galveston, Texas on November 23, 1949, to the late Watt Golden and Amelia Yokum Golden. She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at the family church, Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Branch, Louisiana. Mary graduated from Ross High School in 1967 and shortly thereafter, married the late Sidney Joseph Dugar and began her family.  To this union were born five children; SydDanna T. Dugar-Malveaux of Columbia, South Carolina, Agra S. Dugar-Martin of Crowley, Louisiana, Kironi A. Dugar of Columbia, South Carolina, Zarwaki Dugar-Brown (Roland) of Houston, Texas and Quewuan E.G. Dugar of Crowley, Louisiana. Although Mary bore five children, God blessed her to mother more, Denise Bellard, LaTashia Bias, Victoria Bias, Veronica Fruge, Anthony George, Catina Leblanc, Kiane Arceneaux, Rhonda Evans, Trudi Jones-Johnson, Kathleen Cesar-Nero, MyAsia Mayfield and Hermione Mayfield.

While nurturing her family, Mary never gave up on her intellectual curiosity, her desire for learning.  Mary began her college career in 1975, as a married woman with three children, and graduated three years later in 1978, with honors from the University of Southwestern Louisiana, now known as the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. Mary taught Kindergarten in the Acadia Parish School System for twenty-eight years.  She had a passion for education and an ardent devotion to ensure the future generation had a solid foundation.  As such, her class roster was not created in the normal at random selection process; her class was created by the requests of parents, some of whom who had been taught by her, who wanted their child taught by Mrs. Dugar.  Although she retired in 2007, she never stopped teaching; from after school tutoring to anyone who came home, life lessons were always handed out.

Mary was a true nurturer; her home has always been a refuge.  It was not only home to her and her family, but to all.  Her door was always open.  So, whether you needed a short respite or an extended stay, you were welcomed and you were home. Mary loved her family, her motto was "I can talk about them, but you can't."  She celebrated her family and genuinely rooted for everyone's accomplishments.  Her photo albums are filled with graduations, birthdays, birth and wedding announcements, and prom pictures of cousins and their children. The only person that superseded family, was her LORD.  Mary loved the Lord. She served faithfully as a Youth Director, Mission Society President, Deaconess, titles given by man, but the only thing she wanted to be known as was a willing-worker, servant of the Lord.  She lived her life for Christ by the phrase "send-go", where you send me Lord, I will go.

She leaves to cherish her memory five children, three grandsons, Dexter R. Malveaux, Tyler Martin and Johnava Bellard, her only grand-daughter Sandra Malveaux, six great-grandchildren, Blu and Inorik Martin, Tayden Malveaux, Treu Malveaux, Denym Malveaux, and Hendricks Martin.  One brother, Watt Golden of Baton Rouge, LA, three sisters, Amelia Tomblin (Bruce) of River Ridge, LA, Brenda Brumfield, and Lena Tate (Mike) both of Kenner, LA, Linda Jenkins (Monroe) of Mobile, AL, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She also leaves to cherish her memory a special neighbor, who was more like a daughter, Pamela Dennis.  A friend who was always there in a time of need. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Johnson Lewis and Calvin Golden, three sisters, Sandra Golden, Patricia Golden Davis-Kraut, and Agnes White, and her beloved Yorkie, Sammie. Mary lived her life in love.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, 519 W. 3rd Street in Crowley, LA .  Pastor Reverend Sherard Joseph will officiate.  Visitations will be held from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 4, 2025 and again from 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 5, 2025 in the church.  Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, S. Avenue F, Crowley, LA.