Hisako Mayfield

Hisako Kumagai Mayfield was born December 13, 1931 in Sendai City, Japan. A huge void was left in our lives on January 18, 2021. As it often happens, her death was on the birthday of late son, Jodie, which is tragic but also communicates a reunion in the thereafter. Her family is heartbroken and asks the community to continue to double down on Covid safety measures.
The best word to describe Hisako was love. She loved her family and friends immensely. Everyone seemed to love her which has been evident in the FaceBook posts, cards, calls and other messages received. She would have been so thrilled and astonished if she could have read all of them. Please know that all the messages have been a great comfort and joy to the family. Also, everyone loved to mention her smile and enthusiasm for life and joy. She never met a stranger; she was quick to start up a conversation with new friends. Going on vacation with her children and grandchildren were highlights of her life.
Hisako loved to travel and planned to go to California, Japan, and possibly Hawaii when conditions allowed. She was adventurous and traveled to California and Japan by herself while in her eighties. The night before her death she told her son, Bobby, “bring me to California” with a smile in her voice so perhaps she understood the end was near. She was waiting for the Covid-19 pandemic to end so that she could visit her brother, sister-in-law, and 4 sisters in Japan. Instead she succumbed to an acute episode of Covid 19 related pneumonia while under the competent care of her long time physician, Dr. Miller, and the expert nurses at Comanche County Medical Center. Hisako told her doctor and children that she wanted to live and wanted to take advantage of all treatment options. She was tiny but mighty, strong in character and the sweetest of souls. Lost forever.
She attended all activities that she could when any of the grand and great-grand kids participated. She was their biggest fan and fiercely protective. On more than one occasion she could be heard saying “they can’t do that” if any member of the other team pushed/shoved/fouled her grandchild. On the other hand, if the grandchild happened to foul she would very loudly say “He or she didn’t mean to”.
Hisako was an accomplished artist/painter and loved to paint landscapes and still life. She also enjoyed reading, and watching Japanese movies and television, especially with her lifelong friend and “little sister” Setsuko Crowder of Eastland. They enjoyed many homemade Japanese meals together. Setsuko said Hisako would joke “I am going to live to be a 100”, and Setsuko would respond “I am going to put your face on a Smucker’s Jam Jar.” She liked to play golf, take long walks in the country, and enjoyed learning about farming and cattle after moving to Gorman in 1995.
Hisako went to the Miyagi Girls' School, a Baptist missionary school founded in Japan during 1886. It was a high school and women's preparatory college. She enjoyed competing in archery while attending high school.
Hisako enjoyed volunteering and was always first in line for anything that needed to be done. She provided great prizes for Bingo at the Gholson, participated in the Shoe Box Ministries at Christmas, and was always available for functions connected with church.
Hisako was employed at Munsingwear in Eastland and then at Ranger College until retiring. She was known as a hard worker and several students stayed in touch with her for many years.
Hisako was preceded in death by her son, Jodie Lynn Rose, husband TJ Mayfield, whom she married in 1995 and lost in 2011, her mother and father, Haru and Shinji Kumagai, and son-in-law Ray Propst.
Remaining family members are children Roseatta Stephens and husband Jackie, Bobby Rose and husband Will Cullen, Debbie Hughes and husband Rick, Connie Rose, and Paul Rose. Grandchildren are Cynthia Motley and husband Bryan, Chris Hughes and wife Damien, Jace Hughes and wife Ashley, Brittni Boykin and husband Johnny. Great-grandchildren are Conner Motley, Bennett Motley, Channing Motley, Mia Cherry, Ethan Hughes, Milli Hughes, Alex Hughes, Wyatt Hughes, MaKynzie Hughes, baby girl Hughes due in February, Ryder Boykin and Brinkley Boykin.
She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews in the U.S. and Japan.
A celebration of her life is Sunday, January 24, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. at the Woodbridge Church-Graham in Ranger, Texas. Reverend Darrel Phillips is officiating.
Out of concern for the community: masks and social distancing is observed for the service. We respect your decision should you feel unable to attend the service .