Dorothy Marie Salser

Dorothy was born on August 15, 1931, to Milton S. Leach and Eunice Marie Barrett Leach in Pampa, Texas. Along with her two brothers and her sister, she grew up in and around the small towns of South-Central Texas, where her pastor father led a number of small churches. Dorothy began taking music lessons before she was old enough to go to school. As a teen, she and her sister Hattie played piano, accordion, and portable organ for church services. Dorothy graduated from Beeville High School.

Dorothy attended Howard Payne University, where she studied Elementary Education. She graduated from The University of Houston and was a teacher in the Aldine Independent School District until she retired. In addition to teaching, she presented daily religious devotionals heard by all students each school day.

Dorothy always had music in her heart. She loved practicing, playing, and teaching piano and making beautiful piano arrangements. Though she was accomplished at sight-reading, she excelled at playing by ear, making her a wonderful accompanist for singers and instrumentalists.

Dorothy faithfully served her Lord and Savior throughout her life, including missionary work and playing piano at a number of Houston churches including: Little York Baptist, Doverside Baptist, Westheimer Baptist, and many years at Baptist Temple. She had a remarkable God-given talent and until her death, she played the piano for sing-a-longs at her assisted living community. Everywhere Dorothy ministered, she blessed people and was loved.

Dorothy was a person who never spoke ill of others, and never complained about her trials, pain and sorrows. She was the same to the very end. She was truly a remarkable woman, much to be admired. In her last days, she let it be known that she longed for her heavenly home and was ready to go there.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Coy Salser; her parents: Milton S. Leach and Eunice Leach Bradshaw; her sister: Hattie Grace Leach Welch, and brothers: Milton Leach Jr., Elmer and Charles Leach.

Dorothy is survived by her step-children Albert Atkinson (Magnolia, TX) and Becky Freeman (Alvin, TX) and many friends, nieces and nephews and their families: (Deb Welch of Benbrook, Texas; Libby Parker and husband, James of Fort Worth, Texas; and Larry Welch and wife, Graça of Niteroi, Brazil; and Dawn Leach, Kimberly Leach, John Seth Leach, Paul David Leach, Angela Leach Fardal (San Antonio), Martha Helen Kilgore).

Dorothy will rest with Coy, her husband of more than fifty years, at Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Houston, Texas.

Dorothy is grateful for the care received from Hospice, The Village of the Heights, and many other caregivers who assisted her since 2015, including the many friends that called, visited, and prayed for her.