Obituary of Dorothy Virginia Houghton

Dorothy Peterson Houghton died August 19, 2019. She was 84 years old. Dorothy was known for her love for her husband, Bill. At the time of his death, Bill and Dorothy were just two months shy of celebrating 65 years of marriage. Dorothy was also known for her love for her family which was one of her greatest joys. Between the years of 1992 and 1999, she organized and implemented plans for "Cousin Camp", a time when she got all her six grandchildren (as well as some or all their parents!) together for a week in the summer. The camps took place at various parks and campgrounds around Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Colorado. Each camp included lots of fun activities for the children as well as down time to just enjoy being together. Dorothy exhibited her love for God and for His Word by beginning each morning with a time of prayer, devotion, and scripture reading. In addition, she lead a Community Bible Study at her place of work before she retired, she taught third grade Sunday School at First Baptist Church of Midland, Texas for many years, she lead in Vacation Bible School for years following her retirement and she served as chaplain for her chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Midland, Texas.

Dorothy Peterson was born on November 28, 1934 in Independence, Missouri. She yew up there and graduated from Northeast High School in Blue Springs, MO. She became Dorothy Houghton after marrying William "Bill" Houghton on October 11, 1953 at the home of her sister in Independence, MO. She continued to live with her parents when Bill was sent to Germany shortly after their wedding. On Bill's return to the United States, Dorothy surprised him by driving to pick him up from the plane, a skill she had only learned in his absence. And it was at that time that she introduced Bill to his daughter, Karen, who had also been born in his absence!

Dorothy followed Bill in his career in the oil field to Hobbs, New Mexico, Eunice, NM, Big Lake, TX, Brownfield, TX, back to Hobbs, NM, Metarie, LA, and Houston, TX before moving to Midland, TX where they settled for 38 years prior to their move to Sulphur Springs, TX in 2012. She was a homemaker         1971 when she went to work as the pastor's secretary in Metarie, LA. She was employed at a real estate agency in Houston. Upon her move to Midland, TX, she became employed by BTA Oil Producers as an administrative assistant, then production clerk, then regulatory administrator. She retired from BTA after 26 years in 2000.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, and her sisters, Frances Ashby and Mary Starks.

She is survived by her daughters, Karen Brock and her husband, Victor, of Grand Prairie, TX, Cheryl

Sundheimer and her husband, Craig of Albuquerque, NM, and Janie Litzler and her husband, James of Sulphur Springs, TX; grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Jay Sundheimer and wife, Tomi, and sons, Judah and Will of Albuquerque, NM, Daniel Brock and wife, Felicia, and sons, Jacob, Braxton, Ayden and John of Grand Prairie, TX; Amanda Coppedge and husband, Kenny, and sons, Silas and Ezra of Las Cruces, NM; John Litzler and wife, Stefanie and daughter, Vivian of San Antonio, TX; Leslie Guevara and husband, Diego, and daughters Natalie and Olivia of Grand Prairie, TX; and Phillip Litzler and wife, Caitlyn, and son, Liam of Sulphur Springs, TX.

Dorothy will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Services will be Thursday, August 22 in the Spence Chapel at First Baptist Church of Sulphur Springs with a visitation at 1 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. A family graveside service will be held on Friday, August 23 at Brad Cemetery in Brad, TX.

Memorials may be made to Community Bible Study International (CBSI) at www.communitybiblestudy.org or by mail: Community Bible Study, Attention: Donations, 790 Stout Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80921.

Arrangements are under the direction of West Oaks Funeral Home. www.westoaksfuneralhome.com