Dora Lee Stovall

Dora Lee Stovall was born on October 22, 1932 To Emil Theodore and Edith Mary Rose Mainz. She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Reininger, and her husband Peter. Her son, Roger Stovall and his wife Jackie. She had two granddaughters and one grandson: Heather Kelley married to Dennis, Reyna and Jaxson Stovall. Dora had one great-grandson, Brayden Kelley. She is also survived by her brother, David Mainz and his wife Dorothy and their children and grandchildren.

Dora was predeceased by her husband, Roy Stovall, her parents, her grandmother, Bernadina Rose and her 3 aunts, Annie Lee, Hazel and Faye Rose whom adored her and whom she helped to care for in their golden years.

Dora worked for 20 years as a bookkeeper for the Express-News. She was a single mom raising a daughter and dedicated herself to providing everything she possibly could to make Nancy's life good. She married Roy Stovall in 1966. In 1972, Peter and Nancy married. Dora loved Peter from the moment she met him. He was so good to her and helped with her care to her last breath. One of the last things she said to him an hour before her death was "Thanks for everything". In 1976, she discovered she was pregnant with Roger at the same time her daughter, Nancy, was pregnant with Heather. Raising the two children together, as if twins, was a wonderful experience for Dora, Nancy and Edith, her mother. The children were together often and even today, they remain as close as brother and sister. Their children and families are close, as well.

While Roger was young, their home became the playground for not only Roger's friends but, Heather's. There were always extra kids in the house with their dogs all running around playing with something. Dora delighted in having all of the kids there. She loved to bake cookies and baked all of the favorites for each of the kids. Many times when it was cold out, she and the kids would bake cookies and they would take the cookies and hot coffee to the homeless at the Samm Shelter. She drove the carpool and it was not uncommon for her to drive up to Alamo Heights High School and 4-6 kids pile in to the heavy bass booming in the car or to pick up Heather from school during the day while Nancy worked because Heather was "sick" and the two go shopping at the mall, with the secret never revealed to Heather's parents.

Dora loved animals and always had pets. She would babysit all of the pets in the neighborhood and for Peter and Nancy. It wasn't uncommon when Roger and Heather were young for her to have birthday parties for the animals. Heather and Roger and the neighborhood kids would come and bring their pets to celebrate complete with hats and decorated tables.

After Roger was grown, Dora and Roy sold their bigger home and downsized to a new home they built to meet their changing needs. They had so much fun fixing it up and decorating it. Mother had a " bear room" because she had always liked Teddy Bears. Her collection was amazing and she decorated the spare room in bears to her heart's delight. She also liked to collect glass decorative birds and blue glass and had them displayed in her china cabinet. Roger and Jackie and Heather and Dennis both married in 2000. Dora delighted in helping to plan the weddings, and attending the showers. She loved her daughter in law, Jackie and grandson in law, Dennis and took them under her wing, as well. She was always thinking of others and doing special little things for people. Dora and Roy had a wonderful, faithful friend, Corn, whom always was there to help and we thank him for the difference he made in both of their lives.

When her second grandchild, Reyna, was born, Dora had her in her arms immediately. Dora and Nancy cared for Reyna for the first two years of her life and had wonderful times shopping, baking and just being together. Then came Brayden. Again, Dora was present at the birth of her first great grandchild and again, the love always just flowed freely. While Reyna called her Grandma, Brayden called her Baba as Heather had called her grandmother. Ten years later, along came Jaxson. While mother wasn't able to help with his care, she was always wanting to stay involved in what was going on with him and all of the kids. With today's technology we were able to keep mother updated through videos of the children's activities.

Our sweet little Dora suffered much with her body in her later years for someone who loved and was so good to everyone. She declined quickly in recent months, but her brain remained sharp to the end. We were all so blessed to have Dora Stovall in our lives. As our daughter said in her Facebook posting: "Another angel got her wings! I am saddened to say my grandmother, Dora Stovall, passed away yesterday. She was the kindest, sweetest, most thoughtful woman with the purest heart. She brightened everyone's day with her cute smile and was stronger than anyone I know. She took care of everyone, from elderly family and friends to children and animals. She never met a stranger and always found the good in people. I am lucky to call her my best friend and grandma! We had so much fun together! As years went by it was hard to see her suffer and it was even harder to see her go but I know she is in good hand now and not suffering anymore. I love you, Baba!"

GRAVESIDE SERVICE

WEDNESDAY

OCTOBER 14, 2015

9:00 A.M.

FORT SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

1520 HARRY WURZBACH