Dorothy Embry

June 15, 2024

Dorothy Jane Love Embry, 90, passed away peacefully on June 15, 2024 after a brief illness.  Mother. Grandmother. Teacher. Friend. Stalwart. Rock. She was many things to so many people.

Born and raised in Greenville, TX, she graduated from Greenville High School in 1950. Her strong work ethic ("if it's worth doing, it's worth doing right") was nurtured by her large extended family and her experiences with the family business, Lovknit Manufacturing. She attributed her love of God, family and country to her parents. Her faith gave her strength to face and conquer all that life threw her way.

She attended Howard Payne University, where she met her future husband, Joe Embry, earning a BS in Elementary Education in 1954. During college she was a member of the BSU choir (and one of three to represent HPU in the Texas BSU choir), played the piano and organ for Sunday evening services, and arranged weekly radio programming at the local Brownwood radio station KBWD.

Immediately after college she held several teaching positions in San Antonio, Germany and Houston. She took time off to raise her three kids (hardly a vacation). She was a strong, independent woman, who raised strong, independent children…sometimes thinking, too
independent, perhaps.

Dorothy returned to teaching in 1974, initially at Williamsons Preparatory in Dallas, TX and later at Rosemont Elementary in Dallas ISD where she taught second grade through 1986. She had an excellent sense for how to make any activity one for learning – she made learning fun, all of us unaware we were being tricked into doing something educational.

With a life-long passion for learning, in the 80's she was "bitten by the (computer) bug" and became a pioneer in developing computer technology programs initially at Rosemont (1986-1993) and then later for all of Dallas ISD as an Elementary Specialist, Instructional Technology (1994-1999). She obtained an MA in Computers in Education and Cognitive Systems from the University of North Texas in 1991, was a proud member of TCEA for many years, and received numerous professional honors.

After retiring from DISD in 1999, she didn't slow down. She worked with KERA in Dallas to develop technology-focused programming for children. In 2007, her love of singing was rekindled when joining the Silver Serenaders of Texas, an interdenominational community choir, where she served as Publicity Chairman for several years. She drew such energy and inspiration from this group of young-hearted seniors. She believed and proved you're never too old to meet new friends and make a difference.

In March 2020, Dorothy moved to Austin, TX, to live with her daughter, Dawn. She found a new church family at Austin Baptist Church and was delighted when COVID passed to allow for her to meet them face-to-face. She soon knew all the neighbors on her street and cherished their friendships and support. If you haven't figured it out yet, Dorothy never met a stranger.

She was thrifty, yet generous. Excited for new opportunities, yet nostalgic. Traditional, yet creative. Reserved, yet a prankster. She embraced new tech, yet preferred paper maps.

Among her favorite things were the Texas Rangers, Wheel of Fortune, Bob Ross, puzzles of any kind, Forty-two (a domino game), trout almondine, bluebonnets and chocolate. But most of all she cherished her family and was proud of their accomplishments, for which she was at least partially responsible. In her opinion, visits from them were rarely long enough regardless of duration.

Last year, facing another health crisis, she told her doctor she'd had a beautiful life and was  unconcerned about the outcome. She was ready to meet her maker if that was the plan. This is how she lived her life. Unafraid.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rufus and Myrtle Love, brothers Phil, Rufus Jr., and Sammy Love, and husband Joe Embry. She is survived by sons Mark Embry (Marian), Owen Embry (Kenneth Robinson), daughter Dawn Embry, and grandchildren Carolyn, Stephanie and Christine Embry.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Silver Serenaders of Texas (https://www.silverserenaders.org/), Austin Baptist Church (https://austinbaptistchurch.com/) or your favorite church or charity in her memory.