Born on November 16, 1952, on a small farm in the heart of Crum West Virginia, Mollie began a journey that touched the lives of many, leaving an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Mollie was preceded in death by her mother, Amanda "Mandy" Okulich-Damron, her father, William McKinley "MAC" Damron, and her siblings, Bobby, Ralph, Gordon, Francis, Mary-Jane and Beverly-Sue. Her father was a 3rd generation coal miner, and her mother tended to the family farm with the help of their many children.

She is survived by her cherished daughter, Lea Perry, and Lea's father, Gene Perry. Mollie was a source of unwavering support and love for her family, especially her grandkids, Gabriel Fuentes and Abel Chavez, as well as her bonus grandkids Nevaeh Chavez, Layla Chavez, Alexis Lopez, Andrew Lopez, Jeremiah Lopez and Elijah Lopez. She leaves behind her sisters, Ethel Smith-Damron, Lois La Pearl, Geneva Damron-Strum, nieces Carry Warner, Stacey Jones, Tracy Ramirez, Jessica Stacey, Felicia Jones, nephews Ryan Damron, Joshua Damron and Columbus Damron as well as numerous great-grandnieces, great-grandnephews, and dear friends.

At the tender age of 14, Mollie embarked on a courageous journey, leaving the family farm in search of new opportunities and a fresh start in sunny California. Despite the challenges she faced, she held on to her dreams, attending Alhambra High School in Martinez while working tirelessly as a waitress and babysitter to support herself. Mollie's determination and resilience shone through as she overcame adversity, graduating with honors, a year ahead of her class in 1969. Music was a passion that resonated deep within Mollie's heart. She graced the local nightclubs of Concord, Bethel Island and beyond with her beautiful voice, captivating audiences with her soulful country tunes both as a solo artist and as a member of “Mollie D and the Playboys”.

Later in life Mollie's industrious spirit led her to the construction industry where she joined the local 324 in Martinez. Proud to be one of the few women in field at that time, she was determined to show the world what a woman could do, working just as hard as the men around her which gained the respect of the men beside her and blazed a trail for the women behind her. During her 25 year she played a vital role in the Bechtel clean fuels project at Shell oil refinery where her inventions and suggestions saved the company countless dollars and helped set records for man hours without a work-related accident. Toward the end of her career one of her crowning achievements was her role in retrofitting the new Benicia Bridge. Her dedication and hard work were a testament to her strong, stubborn spirit and unwavering commitment to creating a better future for herself and her family.

Beyond her accomplishments and professional pursuits, Mollie was a beacon of love and compassion. Her warm smile and infectious laughter brightened the lives of those around her, and her kindness knew no bounds. She possessed a remarkable ability to uplift others, offering a listening ear, a comforting embrace, and words of wisdom to any passer by or person in need. Mollie’s sudden departure from this world leaves a void that cannot be filled. Her legacy of strength, perseverance, and love will endure through the memories shared by her family and friends. She showed us that no dream is too big and no obstacle too daunting when faced with determination and resilience. As she would often tell us “Can’t” never did do nothin”, her way of reminding us there was always a way, we just needed to find it.

Let us remember her strong spirit, passion for living life to the fullest, beautiful smile and kind heart. May her soul find eternal peace, and may her memory continue to inspire us to enjoy life, embrace change & believe in ourselves. Rest in peace Mollie. You will be deeply missed and forever loved.

Long live the memory of a coal miners' daughter

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