Dorothy Marie Whitaker

Dorothy Marie Leavell Whitaker, age 103, passed away on Sunday, November 7, 2010 in San Antonio, Texas. Dorothy was born on December 13, 1906 in Dearborn, Missouri to parents, Nellie Nelson Cox Leavell and Andrew Dean Leavell.

Dorothy was raised in McAllen, Texas in a two-story home which had a Music Room. Dorothy had three brothers and two sisters, all who played musical instruments. Dorothy graduated from McAllen High School in 1924, and was a graduate of TCU in 1928 Cum Ladue in Music, both Piano and Voice.

Dorothy married Guy Roberts Hughes of Decatur, Texas. Guy was an Advertising Manager for the Lubbock Avalanche Journal in 1930.

Dorothy taught elementary school for McAllen Independent School District, Dallas Independent School District and San Antonio Independent School District at Beacon Hill Elementary School for over 40 years. She was fluent in Spanish. She served as a Drama and Music Counselor at Kamp Karankawa in Center Point, Texas Texas Hill Country in the summers of 1943 and 1944.

On May 26, 1945, Dorothy married E.M. Doc Whitaker in Dallas and later moved to San Antonio. She was a member of Central Christian Church Disciples of Christ 1947 in San Antonio for 65 years, where she enjoyed playing the piano for Adult Sunday School class for many years and was a designated as an Elder Emeritus.

She and Doc spent 16 days traveling in Europe and kept a daily log of the entire journey. They enjoyed traveling, and would drive to interior of Mexico and Yucatan every summer. Dorothy enjoyed music, gardening, travel, bridge and church activities.

Dorothy is survived by her only child, Janelle Hughes McArthur and her husband, Robert C. McArthur; four grandchildren, Robby McArthur, Domini McArthur, Melloni McArthur and Jay Larry McArthur; five great-grandchildren.

GRAVESIDE SERVICE

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2010

2:00 P.M.

SUNSET MEMORIAL PARK

1701 AUSTIN HIGHWAY

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Central Christian Church, 720 N. Main, San Antonio, TX 78205, or to a charity of your choice.