Dorothy Williams Land

Dorothy was born on March 31, 1922 in Cherokee County. From her early years, she lived in Tyler, Texas. She graduated from Tyler High School and attended Tyler Junior College. She was the daughter of Blanche and Clifford Williams. Dorothy was the youngest of 4 children and the only girl. Having grown up with three older brothers, she learned how to laugh and love sports – and did she ever love sports! It wasn’t unusual to hear her in foreign lands asking strangers if they knew the score from last night’s Rangers, Mavericks, or Cowboys games. She just assumed if you were an American, these must be your teams!

Dorothy worked for many years at Boulter Junior High School, where she touched the lives of many students. She then started a new career as a pastor’s secretary at First Baptist Church were she served for over 20 years. She was known as a listening ear, hospital visitor, hostess, travel guide, and general information lady. Upon retirement, she started working part-time at Lloyd James Funeral Home where she continued to work until 3 months before her 90th birthday! It’s been said, “She was the perfect person to work at a funeral home. She knew how to comfort and give hope at the saddest of times.”

Dorothy was active in her Sunday School class, The Magnifiers, and The Tyler Garden Club. Friday nights were spent playing dominoes with Fran Anderson, Dot Couch, Eloise Braymer, Connie Hawkins, and Joan Norris and Tuesdays was Mahjong with her ‘younger’ friends. Dorothy and Roy had a very special friendship with the “Birthday Club” – close friends of 60 plus years!. Dorothy’s love of travel and adventure led her to destinations near and far over the years.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Roy Land, an infant son, Dale Glen Land, a daughter, Sharon Land Emmert, and great-grandson, William Thomas Blake.

She leaves behind a daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Tommy Blake, granddaughters, Melissa Waldon, and Jennifer Blake, grandson, Ryan Blake, and two great-grandchildren, Lilly and Abby Blake.

Visitation will be at Lloyd James Funeral Home Friday from 5:30 to 7:00. p.m.

A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held Saturday, June 25 at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church “Downtown Revival” renovation project 301 W. Ferguson Tyler, Tx 75702 or Hospice of Texarkana, 803 Spruce St. Texarkana, Tx 75503