Dorothy DeBona

Dorothy was born in San Antonio, Texas on May 7, 1915 to Jean McKellar Spence and Robert Morris Spence. She was raised on a farm in Anderson County and attended schools in Palestine, Texas. Dorothy attended Texas Tech University and Sam Houston State University where she graduated in 1937 with a Bachelor's Degree in Education. She taught school in Grapeland, Texas and later moved to Eagle Pass, Texas in the early 1940's, where she worked at the Air Base.

Dorothy met and married the love of her life, Pascal DeBona, was widowed four years later and never re-married. In Eagle Pass, she helped oversee her deceased husband's business, DeBona-Bibb Farm Implement and Appliance Store and the operation of family agricultural properties as well as devoting herself to raising her daughter. She was an active member of the Church of the Redeemer, served in the Women's Auxiliary and taught school in the Church Pre-School.

Dorothy also taught in the Eagle Pass Independent School District where she positively influenced many young lives. She loved teaching and always had a heart for children. In 1957 she was elected to the Maverick County Soil Conservation District Board of Supervisors. Dorothy was re-elected to that position in 1958 and was the first and only female Supervisor in the state of Texas. One of her responsibilities was to work with Mr. J.I. James, Superintendent of the Eagle Pass Independent School District to implement the teaching of conservation of natural resources in the schools.

She also became a co-operator with the Soil Conservation District on a section of rangeland and was a strong proponent of proper use and management of grassland.

In 1968 Dorothy moved to San Antonio and was an active member of Christ Episcopal Church, where she also served as Secretary.

In 1973 she embarked on a career in the antique business which she continued until just last year. Her love of people and her zest for life was the perfect combination for this type of endeavor. Dorothy was a generous, unselfish, caring woman with a strong faith in God. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a great outgoing personality. Her treasures on Earth were her family and friends and her memory will live on in our hearts forever.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Pascal DeBona of Eagle Pass; her parents, Jean and Robert Morris Spence; her brother, John MeKellar Spence of Zimbawbwe, Africa; a brother, Robert Morris Spence of Coahuila, Mexico; a sister, Jean Spence Koch of Palestine, Texas.

She is survived by her daughter, Jeannie DeBona Dullnig and her husband, Bobby; a grandson, Robert Allen Dullnig; a granddaughter, Margye Dullnig Northington and her husband, McCann; her great-grandchildren, Maggie, Madeline and Syble Northington; a niece, Chavela Spence Sellers and family of Coahuila Mexico; a nephew, Roberto Spence and family of Coahuila, Mexico; a niece, Janet Coaton and family of Houston, Texas.

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to her loyal care-givers, her loving neighbors and caring friends for all they have done.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

MONDAY

DECEMBER 28, 2009

3:00 P.M.

CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

510 BELKNAP PLACE

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

GRAVESIDE SERVICE

TUESDAY

DECEMBER 29, 2009

1:00 P.M.

MAVERICK COUNTY CEMETERY

CORNER OF 2ND STREET & MEMORIAL STREET

EAGLE PASS, TEXAS

MEMORIAL SERVICE

FOLLOWING INTERMENT AT

2:00 P.M.

CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER

648 MADISON ST.

EAGLE PASS, TEXAS