Dorothy Faye Teel's Obituary
Dorothy Faye Teel was born in Tuscon, AZ, on February 26, 1924. She entered her heavenly home when she passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 21, 2012. Dorothy moved with her mother and two sisters to Commerce, TX, when she was two years old. She lived there with her family until she married the love of her life, Milfred Teel, on Jan. 5, 1940, when she was not quite 16 years old. She and Milfred drove to Houston in a Model T Ford in a rare snowstorm shortly after they were married. Dorothy was preceded in death by her mother, Bessie Talley, her husband, Milfred, and her only two siblings, sisters Margaret Gaston and Marion Jones. Dorothy was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and great-aunt. Surviving to cherish her memory are her children: her son Larry Teel and wife Jo; her daughter Gale Teel McEnery and husband Jim. Her grandchildren whom she loved dearly: Jimmy Teel; Michael Teel and wife Penny; Rich Edwards and wife Lia; Stacy Teel Diehls and husband Jeff; Larry Giddings and wife Sarah; Dale Giddings and wife Anjeanette; Scott McEnery; Kristine McEnery; Maureen Sawyer and husband Eddie; and Michael McEnery and wife Rachel. She is also survived by her beloved great-grandchildren DeVinn LaRive; Heaven Traweek; Kody Teel; Alex and Zach Edwards; Hannah and Conner Mays; Carina, Seth, and Kealian Giddings; Lauren and Christina Munselle; Sean McEnery; Mackenzie and Mason Brown; Jacob Carr; Christina Hulka-McEnery; Anna, Sophia, Luke, and Jack McEnery. Dorothy is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and a multitude of friends.
Dorothy was an excellent seamstress, and accomplished at quilting and crocheting. She also enjoyed all forms of crafts and working on jigsaw puzzles.
Dorothy was a resilient woman who stayed strong during several crises in her life. She had been a stay-at-home mom until her husband was severely injured in an accident on his job in 1957. When Milfred was unable to work for several years, she got a job in the credit department at Sears where she worked for over 35 years. Dorothy lived with her husband, Milfred, in Sheldon, TX until his death at age 59 in 1978. She continued to live in Sheldon until 2000, when at age 76 she decided to give up her days on her riding lawnmower and move from her two and a half acre homestead to a smaller place. She purchased a new home and moved to Baytown, TX. Dorothy was a member of the First Baptist Church of Houmont Park for over 50 years, serving for many years as the church treasurer. In Baytown, she joined Memorial Baptist Church where she became a member of a Sunday School class that became an important part of her life. In December, 2011, she enjoyed meeting with her Sunday School class members and helping to prepare care packages to be sent to needy children. Dorothy continued to live independently at her Baytown home until she experienced some health problems in 2009. In August of 2010 she moved into the retirement community, The Waterford, in Deer Park, TX. Dorothy loved her time living at The Waterford where she made many friends and became active in several groups. She played dominoes with a group of her new friends at The Waterford the night before she passed away.
Membership in Eastern Star was a very important part of Dorothy's life. She was a member of the East Houston Eastern Star Chapter for over 50 years. She held many offices in the Eastern Star over her many years of membership. Always good with numbers, Dorothy served many years as the treasurer. She served as Worthy Matron on two separate occasions. She also held a state office several times. When the East Houston Chapter dissolved in 2006, she became a member of the Highlands Eastern Star. Dorothy was a volunteer at M.D. Anderson for over 50 years. In her last years working there, she worked in the Craft Room, making handicraft packages to hand out to patients and their families.
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