Dorothy Eileen Thompson

Dorothy was born on November 16, 1925, in Palestine, Texas, to Emmett Hermann Stobbs and Eva Lee (Gaines) Stobbs. She later moved to Corpus Christi, where she attended Corpus Christi High School and built a life filled with love, family, laughter, and benevolence. Mix in gardening, travel, some fishing, a lot of dancing, and bingo, and you get a life well lived!

In 1942, she married the love of her life, Robert Lee “Bob” Thompson. Together, they raised four children and shared over 50 wonderful years of marriage before Bob’s passing in 1995. Dorothy liked to joke that Bob married her for her money because, early in their courtship, he once had to borrow two dollars from her for gas. They often said that a good marriage requires compromise — that it can’t be a one-way street — and they truly lived by those words. They worked together to keep up their home, raise their family, and grow their construction business. They enjoyed traveling and spending their days tending to their little slice of earth. Dorothy’s dinner table was endlessly expandable, her home was a haven for all who entered, the food was delicious and plentiful, and there was always room for a good old game of “31”.

Both Dorothy and Bob once told a newspaper that they wouldn’t necessarily recommend marrying young! Apparently, she took this advice herself, because at 90 years old, after many years without Bob, she found love and happiness again with Al Baker, her favorite dancing partner. The two married and shared many joyful years together until Al’s passing in 2022. Dorothy proved that you can find love at any age and that she had more love to give. She brought Al much happiness and cared for him until his death. They enjoyed each other's company, played bingo as often as they could, and danced until the stars faded out.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter Dee B. deShetler, her son Kenneth L. Thompson and his wife Bobbie Jo Thompson, her daughter-in-laws Connie Thompson and Joyce Thompson, her sisters Barbara Lanphier and Eunice Harden, and an ever-growing family of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even great-great-grandchildren — far too many to list, but each one precious to her. She also treasured her many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband of 52 years, Robert Lee Thompson; her cherished sons Tommy L. Thompson, Robert E. Thompson, and James E. Thompson; her granddaughter Christy Ann Still-Simmons; her great-grandson Tyler J. Thompson; her husband Al Baker; her brothers Howard and Eugene Stobbs; and her best friend and sister, Jeanette Gorbet.

Dorothy lived a life of compassion and service. She worked for many years as the bookkeeper for her and Bob’s construction company. She volunteered her time with the Lagarto Fire Department, helping with many things, especially organizing their annual chili cook-off fundraiser. She was the undisputed queen of Bingo, loved puzzles and card games with family and friends, and never missed a chance to dance. She enjoyed gardening, and everyone knew her as a wonderful cook and baker. She loved yellow roses, hummingbirds, cardinals, and keeping up with loved ones on Facebook.

But above all else, Dorothy’s greatest passion was caring for others. She had a rare and beautiful gift for making a person feel special! That is the essence of Dorothy- she cared so deeply for the people around her. She was a shining light in the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her journey on this earth was one marked by love, compassion, and unwavering faith. Her passing has left a void in the hearts of her family, friends, and those whose lives were touched by her. Dorothy lived a long and beautiful life. She will be deeply missed but how blessed we all were to know her.

Dorothy once wrote:

“There is a child in all of us. Sometimes we feel we’ve lost it, but we merely have to find it again… the way you know it’s there is because God says, ‘Come to me as a little child.’”

She lived those words every day.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at Memory Gardens, 8200 Old Brownsville Road, Corpus Christi, Texas (graveside service at the mausoleum site). Pastor Monica Hernandez will officiate. If you wish to send flowers, please send arrangements to Memory Gardens by January 16 at 5:00 p.m.