Dolores Margaret Vinson

“Don’t be sad. I’ve had a wonderful life.“ These were some of the last words that Dolores Margaret Vinson, Mom and Grandma, Andy and Sissie, was able to say before she passed away on September 15 at the age of 94.

To live in this world

you must be able

to do three things;

to love what is mortal;

to hold it against your bones knowing

your own life depends on it;

and, when the time comes to let it go,

to let it go”

― Mary Oliver

Dolores Anderson was born on October 11, 1928, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Freiden Anderson and Dolores Ryan Anderson. She attended Saint Vincent's Academy in Shreveport and then Centenary College where she earned a B.A. in art history. In 1952 she married a young man just out of the U.S. Navy named Jon Vinson. They were introduced by Jon’s sister Carol, and their marriage lasted for 58 years until Jon's passing in 2010.

Mom took courses at SMU in the mid-60s to get her teaching certificate, went to work for the Dallas Independent School District, and taught for well over 40 years. She always asked to be assigned to the schools where she felt the need was greatest, and where the children most needed the attention that she could give them, often paying for supplies herself.

She taught middle school art for the majority of that time, while raising a child, arising at the break of dawn every day, making breakfast and then driving across the city and back. She was a member of the Texas State Teachers Association for her entire career. She would want you to understand how important our public schools are.

It wasn’t all work and no play - far from it. To quote Willie and Waylon, she was a good-hearted woman in love with a good-timing man. Together Mom and Dad were able to visit dozens of countries, thanks largely to Dad's career with Control Data Corporation, but after his retirement also, as well as almost every state in the U.S. They had many friends from all backgrounds and walks of life, judging them only on their character and nothing else.

Mom loved to visit their favorite islands in the Caribbean, Saint Croix and Barbados, as well as going to LSU football games, spending time on the beach in Galveston, eating at Felix’s in New Orleans, and many other occasions, too numerous and varied to try to list, to enjoy all that life has to offer. She was invariably polite, and always kind and empathetic to everyone. In particular, any cause which benefited children or animals was very important to her. After Dad's passing, she continued to travel, spend time with family, and do volunteer work for the Town of Addison where she lived.

She is survived by her son Jonathan and beloved daughter-in-law Patti, cherished grandchildren Claire and Will, brother-in-law Terence Vinson and wife Judy, niece Cindy Yu and husband Joe, and nephews Allen Rodriguez and wife Annette, Steve Anderson, Stephen Vinson and wife Asma Afsaruddin, and Jon David Vinson.

If she could give us a few last words of advice, I know she would ask us to always be kind to all living things and to help the less fortunate, but to not take ourselves too seriously and to have fun in the short time we are here.

Tell me, what is it you plan to do

with your one wild and precious life?”

― Mary Oliver

If desired, memorials may be given to the Dallas Education Foundation, Operation Kindness, or any good cause which helps nurture and educate children or care for animals. Visitation will be on Saturday, September 23, from 4:00 to 6:00 at Sparkman Crane funeral home, with a simple graveside service at 1:00 PM on Sunday, September 24 at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Sparkman-Crane.com for the Vinson family.