I will miss our Dominoe days at Waterford. RIP
Marie Powell

 I enjoyed reading the posts left by others because I can relate to so many similar experiences as well.  Being one of the younger cousins my early memories are a little fuzzy (or at least I can blame it on that) but I do remember fondly of vacations cramming in the cars to go camping on road trips with the Lukers and McKeans.  But my most vivid memories are of camping on the San Marcos River with many extended families, for many years. Dutch oven peach cobblers capped off many a meal but those coffee smells were all day long! Family Reunions  with volleyball courts set up by my dad with Aunt Dottie and her sister Chris (my mom) getting team play organized and refereeing when the older cousins spiked too much (until Sharon grew up and took that role over) :) I think Aunt Dottie must have tried every art or jewelry craft she was ever exposed to - and musical instruments! Quality was not her focus - it was about filling her life with experiences! Challenges never seemed to intimidate her which is probably why she wholeheartedly tackled current technology requesting smart phones and tablets to keep up with family/friends. She was all about participating -- even when it was painful to do so -- because she loved being surrounded by family and friends. One of my favorite memories of her will be attending one of the exercise classes she led at the Waterford community this year prior to her birthday party. She was a really good leader and included a varied program and integrated music. I was so impressed! At the same time she was also being recognized by the staff for her volunteer spirit. So many more memories I will treasure, and smile upon, when I think of my Aunt Dottie! I look forward to celebrating her life on Wednesday with family and friends.

Aunt Dottie helped raise Lovell & I. There are so many happy memories it's hard to isolate ones to write. 
She taught us to swim. Don't hold your nose! (when you jump in). I think Lovell & I learned not to hold our noses because we spent so much time with her. Other Mills cousins never quite mastered it and they continued to be told not to do it.
She didn't care for us sleeping late when we stayed over and would send in the dogs to wake us up (lots of energetic face-licking). Too much to do! Get up and get to it! We were free to wander all over the place (fields, barns, ride the 3-wheeler, help Uncle Tinker with whatever he was working on), but sitting around doing nothing wasn't usually an option.
Lots of time spent in and eating from the garden. I'm still not convinced a 1 acre field counts as a garden. Just like I'm not sure a small pond counts as a Lake but it's best not to argue with Aunt Dottie.
She taught us how to play volleyball correctly. Fingertips, not flat hands. Set it up! Set it up! 
She taught us to play 42 and be good at it. I don't remember her being fond of going low. And not agreeing with Boyce about keeping score. He insisted on getting every pointnot just marks ALL. I was and still am a reluctant bidder. I still hear her telling me to jump in there and go for it.
She was sometimes a substitute PE teacher when we were in elementary school. How cool was it to have your Aunt Dottie as your PE teacher?!
You might read into these notes that I remember her as fussing all the time. I don't. And she certainly didn't. And even when she did, she had such a sweet spirit that it didn't feel bad. You knew she meant well, and she was usually right anyway. 
When I think of all the time we spent over at Aunt Dottie's and Uncle Tinker's, all I have is happy and peaceful memories. I don't think they ever really got onto us for anything. I suppose we were pretty well-behaved kids, but they had a way of steering you in the right direction without you quite knowing that's what they were doing. 
The world is a bit darker now, and heaven is correspondingly brighter. I know that we will see her again, and that helps me be a little bit less sad. Goodbye, Aunt Dottie. I love you.

I have so many memories and life long gifts from Aunt Dottie.  I type through tears for myself and all her precious family that will miss her so.  Sing Ling.  The huge garden. The basement.  The cool spiral staircase. The homemade dolls.  The red three wheeler.  The Staples "Lake" with the old surfboard.  Waffle night.  Mopeds to church and post office.  Bicycling to and from her house.  Microwaved tortilla peach cobbler.  Stretch and Sew experiments.  The Commissary trips. The organ. Sweet Pea in San Antonio.  Rummikub evenings.  Her as church pianist where she played the closing song super fast if the preacher had run long.  Idle time her enemy.... Parachute games, aerobic tapes, tennis lessons and my first volleyball coach.  Plastic canvas and stitching.  I still have everything she ever made for me.  She and Tinker introduced me to coffee and 42, two life long pleasures.  She was pure fun and pure love, all the time for me.  My babysitter, my adventurer, my teacher, my counselor and my friend.  I will forever treasure her honesty, her graciousness, her fearlessness, her humor and her genuine interest in all I ever did.  I know Tinker is so thrilled to have her back by his side.  If I give back to this world an ounce of what you have given, I will count it success.  I love you Aunt Dottie.

OBITUARY

Dorothy Lee Luker

December 14, 1923 – May 7, 2017

Colonial Funeral Home

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