Dortha "Dottie" Lee Simmons

On June 8, 1941, Dortha “Dottie” Lee was the first of seven daughters born to Arthur and Francis Downs. Growing up in the church where her father was a deacon, Dottie loved to sing in the church choir. It was at a social between their church and another when she met Walter H. Simmons. They began to date and eventually married on September 12, 1959. After Walt joined the United States Air Force, they moved to Colorado where, on Dottie’s 20th birthday, she gave birth to their first child, Janice Elaine. Back in Houston nine years later on Walt’s birthday, their second child, Brandy Lynne was born. Divorcing in 1970, she worked hard to care for her family. She worked a variety of jobs over the years, often times multiple at a time; it was a part-time weekend job as an apartment leasing agent that changed her career. She worked in the apartment industry for approximately 20-years, much of which was as a manager. One thing that never changed regardless of what she was doing was her absolute kindness and her supreme customer service. The only part of her job she did not do well was charging residents late fees and or evicting them. It broke her heart to have to do so because she became good friends with most of her residents.

When Janice married Michael Payne in September 1980, Dottie gained the son she never had. For nearly 30-years Michael and Dottie shared a special loving relationship. Dottie was blessed with four grandchildren, Michelle, Jennifer, Brandon and Austin. In 2009, she became a great-grandmother when twins, Aaden and Noah were born to Michelle and her husband Josh. Dottie has a great-grand-daughter, Zoe that is due to be born in July to Jennifer and her husband Corey. She was very excited that Zoe would be joining the family, telling everyone around her about her three great grand babies.

Dottie suffered from high blood pressure and diabetes resulting in End Stage Renal Disease. In October of 2004 she moved to the Katyville Nursing Home in Katy, TX for full time care. She was one of the youngest residents and quite active. During her residency there, she held the positions of Secretary, Vice President and President of the Resident Council. She also placed Second Runner Up two years in a row in the Annual Miss America Contest at Katyville. She discovered a talent she was not previously aware she had – art. While participating in various art projects she created pieces of art, some beautiful, some funny but all with her special touch. She was so proud of her accomplishments there.

Dottie was special to a lot of other people, including her sisters and brothers in law, her nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, many friends, her caregivers at Katyville/Cane Island Nursing Home, Davita Pin-Oak Dialysis and Phoenix Ambulance Service.

On Monday, May 17, 2010, Dottie ate breakfast and visited with the nurses and residents at Cane Island while wearing a funny hat she had made. She became tired and was placed in bed for a nap where she peacefully went to heaven to be with the Lord and her parents. Dottie will forever be loved and missed but will remain alive in our hearts and memories for eternity.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for your support of the National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org.