Dorris Keath

Dorris Daniel Keath, loving and devoted wife, extraordinary mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, church and community leader, long-time area educator, servant, and friend, passed into life eternal on November 13, at the age of 93.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, July 14, 1915, Dorris grew up on the banks of the Nueces River south of Cotulla. Like so many of her generation, she came of age during the Great Depression but she said her life was almost idyllic on the farm where she wanted for nothing and where there was always plenty to share with town relatives as well as fresh eggs, milk and whole cream to exchange for goods and services not on hand at the Oak Grove Farms.

Despite the financial situations of the country in 1934, her parents made sacrifices that allowed her to continue her education, first at Westmoreland College in San Antonio and then at Mary Hardin Baylor College in Belton where she graduated with a degree in Home Economics Education. She would later earn a Masters Degree in Counseling and Guidance and librarian certification at Our Lady of the Lake in San Antonio.

On June 1,1939, a beautiful life-long love story began with her marriage to Medford Keath. She said she knew Med was the boy she was going to marry the first time she saw him as they began their senior year in high school. For the next 66 years they reared their children, taught in the Sabinal public schools, and poured their lives into their church and community. Dorris was church organist and pianist where she and Med, the song leader, assisted in leading in worship for more than 40 years at the First Baptist Church. She taught Sunday School, served on many church committees and was active in the Womans Missionary Union at the local, area, and state levels. Dorris was a born leader as evidenced in the number of offices she held and committees she chaired in the organizations she was involved with including Sabinal Civic Club, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Vocational Homemaking Teachers of Texas, Texas Retired Teachers Association, Order of the Eastern Star, Uvalde County Historical Society, and AARP. Many students were influenced by her in homemaking and English classes where she taught them skills they would use in life and groomed many for leadership in offices at the area and state level of Future Homemakers of America and the local chapter of the National Honor Society.

Dorris is preceded in death by her precious husband Medford who died on November 14,2005, and her parents Price and Ora Rock Daniel. She is survived by her sister, Virginia Ora Daniel Woolls of Sabinal as well as two sons, Medford Earl Keath, Jr. and wife Ann of Sabinal, their sons, Clay and wife Lacey, Hunter and wife Lorain; son James Daniel Keath and wife Madis of Hondo, their daughters Julie and husband Brad Livingston, and Sarah and husband Bobby Jack Rushing; and one daughter Jane Keath Witcher and husband Seth of San Antonio and their children Jennifer and Trey and wife Abby. Nonnie and Papa loved each other and their family and took great pride in their six grand children and enjoyed the antics and accomplishments of their nine great-grand children Price, Susanna, Macy, Tessa, Alexandra, Stanton, Hadley, Clair and Kyle.

Dorris was exceptionally talented in so many areas and a can do kind of person. She was guided by a philosophy of life she learned from her grandmother that equipped her to tackle any task with confidence. That same philosophy was evidenced in the way she taught and led others to develop their gifts and talents. Ever the educator, she was an abundantly talented woman always ready to put her gifts to use whether it be playing the organ or piano, decorating, arranging flowers, presenting chalk talks, or helping transform the high school gym into a wonderland for prom night. She was a faithful servant of the Lord who was her savior and constant friend and guide.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Sabinal, The University of Mary Hardin Baylor, Alto Frio Baptist Encampment, Sabinal EMS or an organization of your choosing.
P aligncenter And though the first sweet sting of love be pastthere shall succeed a faithful peac

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