Dorothy C Priest

Dorothy was born on Sept. 28, 1928 in Kingsbury, TX to Benjamin and Hattie (Cash) Chessher. She graduated valedictorian from Kingsbury High School in 1945. Shortly after, she moved to San Antonio at age 16 to complete her studies while working several jobs. She received a scholarship to attend Durham School of Business.

In 1954, she landed her “dream job” at Braniff Airlines where she stayed for 28 years until the company closed. She spent the remainder of her career at Randolph AFB coordinating travel reservations for the military. During her tenure at Randolph, she worked for N&N and SATO Travel. She loved her job and joked that she was irreplaceable given her experience. She received numerous letters of commendation, awards from employers and thank you letters from customers over the years.

She rose early every morning to battle San Antonio traffic from her acreage property on HWY 281 until she retired at age 76. She referred to her home as “the barn,” but don’t be fooled – she may have lived in a converted barn, but she knew how to keep a home. Her sense of style matched that of the magazines seen on her coffee table – Vogue, Vanity Fair, Elle, and Architectural Digest among others. She enjoyed cleaning, laundry, and Blue Bell iced cream. The ranch in Spring Branch was Dorothy’s home for 40 years where she raised cattle and paint horses to show in competition. She served on the board of directors of the South Texas Paint Horse Association for two years. She had an uncanny connection to both tame and wild animals. She cared for her dog Precious and stray kittens like children as long as they stayed outdoors. She sold her beloved ranch property shortly after retirement and moved back to Seguin to be with life-long friends.

Dorothy made new friends around her new home in the East Hills neighborhood. She wasn’t one to “be in all the social clubs,” she said, but she loved spending time with all her friends and family. Frankly, she didn’t need the social clubs. As a natural conversationalist, people gravitated to her to hear her tell stories filled with her quick wit and humor. Spending hours on the phone and writing thank you notes were second nature to Dorothy. Her loyalty and friendship were never questioned.

Dorothy accepted Christ as a child and was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church of Seguin.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, her sister Peggy Chessher Pittman, brother-in-law Griff Pittman, and her grandparents. She is survived by her nieces Sharla Pittman Agnew of Allen, TX; Sharon Pittman Sturgill of Hobbs, NM; great nieces Amanda Agnew of Ft. Worth, TX; Jeannie Sturgill Alexander of Lovington, NM; great nephews Mark Agnew of Dallas, TX; Benjamin Sturgill of Hobbs, NM; great-great nieces Ashten and Audrey Alexander; Jessica and Alyssa Sturgill; great-great nephews Michael and Craig Alexander; and lifelong friend Mary Jane Mergele.

Dorothy’s family wishes to thank Guadalupe Regional Hospice Services and AA Senior Care Services, especially Priscilla and the East Hill neighbors for their tender care and support.

Visitation will be held from 5–9 p.m. on Friday, April 29th in the front stateroom of Goetz Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be on Saturday, April 30th at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Goetz Funeral Home with interment following at San Geronimo Cemetery.