Dorothy D. Hartman

Dorothy Smith Hartman was born October 5, 1916 in Victoria, Texas into a pioneer ranching family. Elliott Sutherland and Ada Dee (Griffin) Smith were her parents. She had one brother, Fred E. Smith. Being part of a ranching and farming family taught her to love the outdoors, cattle and the land, and she spent as much time in the country as she could. Dorothy graduated from Patti Welder School in 1934. The Smith family was active at First Presbyterian Church in Victoria. Dorothy was always proud of her heritage being a native Victorian.

Dorothy met her husband, R. F. “Dick” Hartman at their ranch when he was working for the State as county agent out of Goliad, Texas. Based on the story, he came out to help her dad with his cattle, and of course, she was at the ranch with her dad. After a courtship of a couple of years they were married October 1, 1936 in Victoria, and in time had two children, Ada Lou and Jim.

Their daughter, Ada Lou, was born in Victoria. Shortly thereafter they moved to Wisconsin where Dick was stationed with the Air Force. (Dorothy thought Wisconsin was the worst cold she had ever experienced and could not wait to return to South Texas!) When Dick was transferred to Roswell New Mexico, before being shipped to Germany, Jim was born. Dorothy and the two children came back to Victoria to live with her parents until Dick returned from the war. The family continued living in Victoria while Dick was a commanding officer at Foster Field. When he retired from the service they lived in various locations including Bandera and Longview due to Dick’s job as a county agent. After working for the state he took a job with Central Power & Light as their agriculture representative for Texas, and the family moved to Corpus Christi.

Dorothy enjoyed being in Corpus and stayed busy raising her two children and being active in the community. As a full time mom she got her real estate license and worked out of her house so she was ALWAYS available for her kid’s needs. As most moms, her world revolved around her family, and she was there to help in any way she could. She supported Ada Lou and Jim in their many activities. She also travelled with Dick as he headed up many stock shows, cattle events and community clubs throughout the state of Texas. Her kitchen was always filled with delightful and delicious aromas. Her specialties included chocolate ice cream roll, strawberry pie, shrimp spread, sausage rolls and dinner rolls, just to name a few. The family joined Oak Park Methodist Church, where they raised their children. In their later years they transferred to First Methodist Church

Upon Dick’s retirement in 1974 they returned to Victoria where Dick and Dorothy both enjoyed renewing old friendships and getting back to the country that they both loved so much. They became very active members of the First United Methodist Church of Victoria. Retirement also introduced them to the wonderful joy of spoiling grandchildren with the arrival of their first grandchild, Kelly. Soon Kelly was joined by other grandchildren, Jaime Richman, J. R. Hartman and Jenny Richman. Many happy hours were spent when they were together at their Mamaw and Papaw’s house or with them in the country.

Dorothy was a charter member of the “Sub Deb” Club that was started in 1933 by a teacher at Patti Welder. On her return to Victoria she rejoined this group of women, now called “Club 20.” She enjoyed her time with them and sharing their friendship over the years.

Dorothy also became active in Victoria Garden clubs. She and Dick shared a passion for beautiful living plants, flowers and trees.

Dorothy stayed active meeting new people, being involved in her church, playing bridge weekly with her group of friends (she or they didn’t miss the bridge game!), traveling to Texas A&M for the Sul Ross Volunteers and Dick’s Class of ’34 alumni functions, seeing the USA and especially spending time with family. When her husband passed away in 1990 Dorothy gained strength from a particular scripture verse, Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ.” This verse kept her going and she was soon back to doing what she wanted, when she wanted.

Life dealt Dorothy another very difficult blow with the death of her beautiful daughter, Ada Lou Richman in 1997. She truly believed that no parent should outlive their children. Being the fighter that she was, she struggled to overcome this devastating loss and bounce back to resume her many activities. In spite of battling age related health issues she managed to live to the ripe old age of 100 years plus. In her last days she was truly ready to go home to be reunited with her husband and daughter. We will miss her, but are thankful that she finally received her great reward in Heaven on Sunday, April 23, 2017.

Dorothy’s loving family includes her son, Jim Hartman and his wife, Jennifer of Victoria; son-in-law, Jim Richman of Houston; four grandchildren, Kelly Henke (Keith), J.R. Hartman Jr. (Amy), all of Victoria, Jaime Richman (fiancé, Jon Sonnier) of Houston, and Jenny Usaj (Tony) of Denver, Colorado; four great-grandchildren, Kyle and Katelinn Henke and Ethan and Ryan Hartman. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, R. F. “Dick” Hartman; her daughter, Ada Lou Richman; and her brother, Fred E. Smith.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at Rosewood Funeral Chapels. Funeral services will be at 2 pm Thursday, April 27, 2017 at First English Lutheran Church, with Rev. Jim Pearson officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be J. R. Hartman, Jr., Keith Henke, Billy Hartman, Pat Fagan, Walker Hartman, Greg Domstead, Jon Sonnier and Tony Usaj.

Honorary pallbearers will be the great-grandchildren, Kyle and Katelinn Henke, and Ethan and Ryan Hartman.

The family would like to express special thanks to long time caregiver, our angel, Emma King, and Eloisa Mendoza along with all caregivers that have looked after mother, and Dr. John McNeill and Dr. Larry Riedel.

Memorials may be made to the First English Lutheran Church Property Fund, the First English Lutheran Church Barbeque Fund, Hospice of South Texas or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Words of comfort may be shared at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.