Helen Dorothy (Dot) Epperson

On July 13, 2017 Helen Dorothy (Dot) Epperson passed away peacefully at the age of 86.  She was surrounded by family in Dallas after suffering a stroke, five days earlier.  Dot was known for her friendly nature, servant leadership, unique wit and warm heart.  She was born April 10, 1931, the daughter of Helen and Lausten Jacobsen and grew up in Lewisville, Texas.  Dot was valedictorian of her 1947 high school senior class at the Demonstration School of North Texas State Teachers College in Denton, graduating at the age of 16.  With a Bachelor of Arts degree in education and journalism, she graduated from Baylor University in 1951 at the age of 20. Dot married Richard Leonard (Dick) Epperson on the front lawn of her parents' home in Lewisville on August 16, 1952.  Together they were active community leaders in Temple, Texas where they lived.  They were married for over 64 years, before Dick passed away on January 26 earlier this year.  Dot starting her teaching career at South Waco Elementary and Vandiver Elementary School in Temple.  For many years she was a popular Second Grade teacher at Scott Elementary School (1958-1964 and 1970-1972).  Then as a pioneer in the Texas public school system, she helped create the early curriculum for public kindergarten and taught kindergarten at Scott Elementary from 1972 until her retirement in May 1988.  Dot was well known for sponsoring the Annual Thanksgiving Dinner for her kindergarteners at Scott School.  Each year, she and her students would prepare a dinner for the mayor, police chief, fire chief and other area officials.  “I believe in involving the children with hands on experiences,” she said.  “I am fascinated by 5-year olds and I enjoy getting them ready for the adventure of school.”  After 29 years as a teacher, she was named 1988 Teacher of the Year by the Temple Classroom Teachers Association and received the Golden Apple award by the Temple Daily Telegram. Dot was a big Baylor Bears fan.  As a journalism major in college, she was the Editor of the “Baylor Lariat” newspaper.  In 2000, she was honored as the Distinguished Baylor Woman of the Year from Central Texas.  Dick and Dot were long-time members of First Baptist Church in Temple, where she served on pastoral search committees, was Director of Sunday School for second grade and pre-school, and served as Director of Vacation Bible School.  Dot was also President of the Women’s Study Group and active in Delta Kappa Gamma Teachers’ Organization, the Floral Arts Club and Cultural Activity Center.  She was one of the founding members of the Temple Boys Choir and a volunteer for Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts. Dot loved to entertain friends and neighbors, explore family history and genealogy, and travel the world with Dick and their friends.  She always put her family first and supported Dick in all of his professional and community responsibilities.  She especially loved summer visits and adventures with her grandchildren.  Dot used to say “Yesterday was good, but tomorrow will be even better”. Dot is preceded in death by her husband Dick Epperson, parents Helen and Lausten Jacobsen and her sister Mabel Anne Muhm.  She is survived by daughter Debbie Douglas and her husband Robert of Dallas, and son Don Epperson and his wife Mari of Dallas.  She was blessed with three grandchildren, Abbie Skipwith and husband Wes of Dallas, Sam Douglas of Dallas and Taylor Epperson of Dallas, and she especially loved her great-grandson Cole Skipwith.   A memorial service honoring Dot will be held at 3:00 pm, Saturday July 22, at the First Baptist Church, 8015 West Adams Avenue, Temple, Texas 76502.  Earlier in the day, the family will have a private gathering at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home followed by the burial service at Bellwood Memorial Park Cemetery. If desired, memorial donations may be made in Dot’s name to the First Baptist Church in Temple (www.firsttemple.org).