Our beloved mother, Dorothy Williams age 89, passed away in Houston September 4 after several years on her dementia journey. She led a wonderful life. Born during the depression to Myra & Victor Wright in Florien, Louisiana, she was the youngest of four children. Her dad died at age 6 and the family moved to the big city of Many. Where she met the love of her life, Banks, at a girls basketball game, while he was on leave from the Navy. The next two years they exchanged love letters until 1956 when they married and moved to Houston Heights and within five years were on an adventure of raising three children.

At age 19 she graduated from Northwestern State, Louisiana and began teaching! As a first grade teacher in Houston ISD, she loved teaching children to read, in 1980 received her Masters of Education and certification as a reading specialist from University of Houston. Her final job after 34 years was at Sinclair Career World Magnet Program. They moved to Bentwater for a life filled with friends, church, bridge plus she learned to golf. Dorothy was always busiest with her favorite activity: being the world's best Grandmother.

Dorothy collected all things ‘Hearts.’ She and Imogene met weekly at the Woodlands Mall scouting for a good sale and having lunch. Loving crafts she learned to ‘bedazzle’ everything. In the 60s she was very cute in her white go-go boots at church. Volunteering she worked for the Equal Rights Amendment, Race for the Cure (for breast cancer-which she survived) and in public schools. She loved her cars including a Corvair, 1968 Camaro, Cutlass, Datsun 240Z and a gold accented Lexus playing a favorite Queen CD.

Survived by children Lisa Martinson (Clark), Bruce Williams (Julie) and Toni Abell; Niece Donna Martin; Grandchildren Wiley Robertson (Shannon Hurst), Anna Jeevan (Sango), Megan Palisin (Robert), Christopher Williams, Banks Williams (Inge), Dakota Whitworth (Landon), Sierra Williams, Randy Abell, Sarah Abell and many great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband Banks, siblings Imogene Bowen, Wanda Petty and Gerald Williams, niece Judy Wright Malahy and son-in-law Dennis Abell. We are thankful to her caregivers Elizabeth Garcia & Felisha Viser.

A celebration of Dorothy’s life will take place at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 600 Pecore, Houston, TX 77009. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to St. Mark’s United Methodist Church or Amazing Place.