Dorothy M. Oswalt

August 1, 1921 – April 17, 2021.

Dorothy Sue Mote Oswalt was born at home on a farm on August 1, 1921, in the community of Spring Valley near Lorena Texas to Ada Stanford Mote and John Benton Mote. The youngest of three children, she graduated from Lorena High School and attended Southwestern University in Georgetown and eventually graduated from the University of Texas in 1943 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. Dorothy met and fell in love with a young Army Lieutenant Jack Oswalt, and they married in September of 1943. In 1952, after Jack’s military service, they moved to Austin and started a dry-cleaning business, and raised their two sons.

Dorothy started teaching English and Journalism at the “new” Lanier High School in the ‘60s and retired in 1985. Dorothy loved to travel with her good friend Bebe Weaver, shop, and laugh. She loved her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandson, Benton. Dorothy belonged to numerous organizations including Alpha Delta Pi Alumni Association, P.E.O., and the Austin Woman’s Club.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Jack. She is survived by her sons, Jack M. Oswalt and wife Vicki, Steve Oswalt and wife Kathy, grandchildren, Emily Oswalt Wise, husband Michael and great-grandson Benton, Kelley Oswalt and fiancé John Dickerson, and grandson Jason Oswalt and fiancé Angela Griffin, and all the Oswalt, Hale, and Dryden families.

Memorial Services will be held at St. John’s UMC (2140 Allandale Rd) in Austin, Texas on April 30th at 11:00, with a reception immediately following.

Dorothy’s goal in life was “I want to live until I die”.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to St John's UMC Memorial Fund.