Dorothea Viona Herfurth

Dorothea Viona Herfurth age 90 of Mont Belvieu, Texas passed away November 10th, 2021 at Swan Manor Memory Care Facility. She was born in Newport Kentucky on November 16, 1930 to Arthur and Anna Lou Stephens. She married James Lee Herfurth from Newport Kentucky on September 5, 1952. They were married for 34 years before his death in July 1986. They moved from Alexandria Kentucky to Houston, Texas in 1968.

Dotty became The Event Planner for Westwood Country Club, Houston, Texas. She retired in 1992. She attended St. Phillips United Methodist Church Houston, Texas and lent her beautiful voice to the choir, weddings, funerals and special occasions. After retirement she volunteered at Memorial Southwest Hospital in their NICU Unit as a Baby Cuddlier to Preemie’s that needed holding and reassuring when their parents were not able to be with them. She also played Mrs. Santa for the Hospital every year, she was featured numerous times on local TV news stations, The Houston Chronicle newspaper, and the newsletter for Memorial Hospital System.

She became friends with St Phillips UMC Choir Director Ralph Temper owner of The Real Estate School along with Don Shrum. She wanted to stay busy and decided to work part time in their office. They became fast friends and she became their “Houston Mother”. She had everlasting memories of group trips to New York to see plays, attend parties, singing, laughing and experiencing new restaurants. We are grateful they watched out for her and she for them.

In 2010 Dotty moved to Mont Belvieu, Texas to live with Sharon and Bobby Richard. She was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration and driving had become difficult. She joined Mont Belvieu United Methodist Church. She sang in their Choir under Choir Director Ray Reese. She also became a member of a local Choral Society. She joined the United Methodist Women, and through the church participated in The Kids Beach Club Program. She volunteered at The Methodist Hospital San Jacinto Campus where she empowered women going through Chemotherapy treatments how to select, style, wear and care for wigs. After much pleading and discussion with the NICU unit and Hospital Administrators she started the NICU Baby Cuddlier program, and again, became Mrs. Santa for the Hospital and the Church.

She was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia in 2015 and moved to Swan Manor Memory Care Facility in 2019. They loved to hear her sing and watch her dance. She was the life of the party!

She was preceded in death by her Husband, James Herfurth, Parents Arthur and Anna Stephens, Brother Douglas Stephens, Nephew John Stephens along with Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Friends.

She is survived by her Children, Stephen Herfurth/Jennifer, Sharon Richard/Bobby, Gina Wallace/ James. Grandchildren Nicholas Cearley, Colter Culwell/Iris. Great Grandchildren Samantha, Caryn, Dotty, Raylan and Leo. God Child Paula Wallace, Nephew Ronald Stephens, extended family Janet Dodd/Ken, and The Marchands, The Fontenot’s, The Bougets.

She left us with wonderfully funny, and sweet memories to treasure. We are forever grateful for those that prayed, cared, comforted, laughed, visited, volunteered, friended, and loved her during her lifetime.

A graveside service will be held 2 pm, Monday, November 15, 2021, at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, 13001 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77079.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.navarrefuneralhome.com for the Herfurth family.