Dorothy Myrtle Gibbs Schwinn

Born just over a hundred years ago in Corsicana, TX, she was the 9th of 10 children to Willam Jonah Gibbs and Virgie Myrtle Gibbs. As is typical of the times she quit school at an early age, she completed more school than any of her siblings. She married Elbert Stewa and, by age 20, had three children: James Elbert Stewart, Brenda Faye Stewart, and Carolyn Sue Stewart. Soon after getting divorced, she went to work to support her young family, and in 1950, she was working at Nabisco in Houston and was crowned Miss Nabisco during her time there. She became a grandmother in her mid-30s, and in the 1960s, she worked at Texas Instruments and became the first female supervisor of assembly. She was also remarried by then to Harley Butler. In 1971, she married Robert Schwinn, who had two children, Gaye and Glenn. He was her true love, and her third marriage was the charm. They relocated to Freeport as they were recruited by Intermedics, and together they created the original prototype pacemakers. The company used innovative techniques to shake up the industry and became hugely successful, grew tremendously, and diversified into other fields as well. In her late 50s, she became a great-grandmother, continued her career, and retired as vice president. The company soon merged with another company and was sold to a German firm a few years later for almost a billion dollars. In 1992, she moved to Willis to be closer to family. In 2011, Carolyn moved to Willis to help her now-widowed mom, as she was slowing down in her later life. In mid-2023, she moved to a nursing home near Carolyn, where she lived out her final days.

Her family was very musical, and she taught herself the piano and guitar and played all her life. She sang on the radio in the 1940s and was asked to go on the road with her sisters, but that never happened. In her youth, she was a member of the Church of Nazarene and attended various churches throughout her life. Even with limited education, her beauty and tenacity propelled her to success in all areas of her life. She is survived by her children, Carolyn Sue Harris, Gaye Forcke, and Glenn Schwinn, and spouse Cindy.

Grandchildren Mike Julian and spouse Cindy, Sissy Ginther and spouse William, Yvonne Bryan and spouse Scott, Jeff Harris and spouse Kim, Jimmy Harris, Eric Forcke and spouse Megan, and Danielle Forcke. In addition, she had great grandchildren, great great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She will be missed by all those who knew her and many more who loved her. She was a true one-of-a-kind.

A visitation for Dorothy will be held Thursday, April 25, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Brookside Funeral Home, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, TX 77039. A funeral service will occur Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 11:00 AM, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, TX 77039. A burial committal will occur Thursday, April 25, 2024, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, TX 77039.