Dorothy White

Dorothy Marie Grogan White was born March 27, 1933 to Manche and Mattie Grogan in Iowa. She went to join her sweetheart, Ted, on November 2, 2015. Dorothy moved as an infant with her parents and brother, Harold, to Kansas City, Kansas. Dorothy would make sure everyone knew that she lived in Kansas City, KANSAS, not Missouri. She loved to tell her children that she was indeed the Dorothy from the "Wizard of Oz".

Dorothy graduated from Wyandotte High School and went to work for Prudential Insurance. She was the first president of the Kansas Gamma Beta Chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi professional sorority.

Dorothy's world was turned upside down when her brother brought home an army buddy, Ted White, to be best man at his wedding, and Ted fell prey to "love at first sight", returning home to Odessa after just a few days to tell his family that he had met the girl he was going to marry. And he did just that on August 17, 1957. Ted and Dorothy made their home in Denton while Ted finished college, and then they moved to Odessa for Ted to begin working in his father's insurance business, White Insurance Agency. Dorothy and Ted were married for over 41 years until Ted's death in 1999.

Dorothy and Ted began their family with the birth of Tamara Dee and followed up with Elizabeth Anne. The girls plus a multitude of animals filled their home with many hours of laughter and chaos. Dorothy eventually put her business skills to use working with Ted as his office manager and as the claims processor. They worked side by side for over 20 years and had a reputation with their clients as being unfailingly honest and dependable.

Dorothy and Ted were charter members of Asbury United Methodist Church, where Dorothy served as church librarian and historian for many years, helped with a multitude of Bible schools, was a member of the United Methodist Women and the Wesley Sunday School class and was the chair of the homebound committee. She spent countless hours visiting, calling, and sending cards to those too ill to attend church. She also loved being involved with sister church, Mackey Chapel, when they had special events. Dorothy was honored with a Certificate of Special Recognition from the UMW and was named "A Pillar of the Church" at the 2005 church conference gathering.

Dorothy was the ultimate mom, creating costumes for every Halloween and any other event, helping with Brownies and Girl Scouts, and various PTA activities, plus taking her daughters to their many activities. She continued that love and service with her grandchildren, Holly, Amanda, Schuyler and Lexi. Dorothy's car and home were as familiar to her grandchildren as their own houses. She never missed a rodeo, concert, recital, 4H show, play, awards assembly or competition. Making birthday parties and Christmas true celebrations was one of her passions. Dorothy was also the perfect picture of being more of a "mother-in-love" than a mother-in-law. Her love for her grandchildren extended to their friends, who would often stop by to say, "hello".

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Ted. She is survived by her daughters, Liz and Tammy, and son-in-law, Kent, along with grandchildren, Holly, Amanda, Lexi and Schuyler, and Fuzz, the monster cat. Dorothy also leaves behind her brother, Harold and wife, Leta, and cousin and best friend, Anna Kitchens. Also left with her memories are sisters-in-law, Marion Crume and son, Chris, and Nancy Curry and husband, Bud. She has numerous cousins, nephews and one niece and many friends.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Parks for their devoted care of Dorothy and the Medical Center CCU and emergency room staff. Memorials may be sent to Asbury UMC or Mackey Chapel.

Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 pm, Thursday, November 5, 2015 at Asbury Methodist Church.

Funeral Services will be at 10:00 am, Friday, November 6, 2015 at Asbury Methodist Church, 4001 E. University, Odessa, TX with Reverend Russell Nebhut and Reverend Ed Williamson officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home. To send family condolences please sign the guestbook at www.sunsetodessa.com

Visitation

Visitation

Asbury Methodist Church
4001 E. University
Odessa, TX  79762
Thursday, November 5, 2015
6:00-8:00 PM

Service

Funeral Service

Asbury Methodist Church
4001 E. University
Odessa, TX  79762
Friday, November 6, 2015
10:00 AM

Cemetery

Sunset Memorial Gardens
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762