Dorothy Lanier Powell Wilson, 1938–2022
PERRYTON—Dorothy Lanier Powell Wilson of Booker, Texas, went to join her parents in the presence of the Lord on Friday, November 19, 2021 in Perryton, Texas, at Ochiltree General Hospital.
The cremation arrangements were under the direction of Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home in Perryton. The memorial service is planned for April 30, 2022 at 2 p.m. at the Afton Cemetery, in Afton, Texas, in Dickens County. The family welcomes anyone who would like to attend this service. A private gathering will occur at a later time on the Powell family farm in the Dry Lake Community. At her request, her ashes will be scattered in the “Back Pasture” where she enjoyed riding her horse, hiking, fishing or swimming in the dirt tank, and collecting rocks.
Dorothy was born March 4, 1938 in Spur, Texas, to Archer and Virgie (McMahan) Powell. She attended the Dry Lake School until its closing. From seventh grade through twelfth grade, she was a student at Spur, graduating from Spur High School with the class of 1955. Her school days were full of rodeo parades, basketball games, cheerleading fun, and being selected as FFA Sweetheart.
She graduated from Texas Technological College in 1959 after earning a teaching degree specializing in English.
Dorothy married Donald Lee Wilson November 27, 1959 in Odessa, Texas, where she began her teaching career at Crockett Junior High School. While living in Odessa, they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Dinah Lynn. After moving to Amarillo, Dorothy taught at Palo Duro High School while her husband finished his teaching degree. They then moved to Booker, Texas, where he taught math and she was a substitute teacher. Their second baby blessing, a son, Dale Lanier Wilson, was born while they resided in Booker. Dorothy worked part-time for the Booker News. She was a member of the First Christian Church.
Dorothy will be remembered for these special qualities: she was a good listener, baker of gingerbread men, faithful letter writer and card sender, avid reader, wonderful cook, skilled seamstress, and successful gardener. The last years of her life were hindered by a neurological disorder called spinocerebellar ataxia Type 2, but she was an inspiration, as she lived her life with a pleasant outlook despite her limitations.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Archer and Virgie Powell; a brother-in-law, Randy DeShan; a nephew, Todd Powell DeShan; and a great-nephew, Dustin Wiginton.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Donald Lee Wilson of Booker; her daughter, Dinah Wilson-Reid (Jay Paul) of McKinney, Texas; her son, Dale Wilson (Adriana), of New Braunfels, Texas; plus her grandchildren: Nathan Wilson of Portland, Oregon; London Wilson (Alyssa) of Amarillo, Texas; Azzan Wilson of Alamo, Texas; Natalie Warrick (David) of Dayton, Ohio; and Emily House (Nathan) of Turkey.
Dorothy’s three sisters are Nancy DeShan of McKinney, Texas; Pat Hightower (Cliff) of Spur, Texas; and Jane Bridge (Gary) of Afton, Texas. Included in her survivors are a brother-in-law, Hernest Wilson of Rome, Georgia, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The family extends their gratitude for all forms of sympathy, condolences and acts of kindness done in memory of Dorothy. A special thank you to Twin Oaks Manor staff of Booker. Donations in her memory may be made to the Afton Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 36, Afton, TX 79220, or the Spur Ex-Student Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 243, Spur, TX 79370.
