Dorothy Louise Webb Thielman of Paris, Texas, died Sunday, September 8, 2004, at the age of 104 just four days short of her 105th birthday. A Celebration of Life service has been set for Wednesday, September 18, 2004, at 11:00 am in the Sanctuary of First United Methodist Church, Paris, Texas, with the Reverend Kathryn Strempke officiating. The family invites all friends and family to join them in a Reception following the Celebration of Life in the Fellowship Hall of the Church. Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.
“Dottie” was born September 12, 1919, in Paris, Texas, to Albert Burtis and Olga Lee Rutherford Webb. She married Charles Eugene Thielman on June 1, 1947, in Paris, Texas. He preceded her in death on August 11, 2005.
A graduate of Paris High School, Dottie Thielman was a part of the history of Paris Junior College since first stepping onto the campus in 1936. Little did she know then that her forty-one (41) year education career would play out where it all began. A 1938 Paris Junior College graduate from the “Concrete Campus,” she earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas State College for Women, now know as Texas Women’s University in Denton. She went on to complete her master’s degree at George Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee, with a major in Library Science. Dottie continued post-graduate work at the University of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, University of Texas at Austin, and East Texas State University, now Texas A & M University—Commerce. Her education career began in 1941 as the librarian at Paris Junior College. Later she was named Director of the Learning Resources Center and in 1977, Dean of Instructional Support Services. During her successful career at Paris Junior College, Dottie had an impact on every student she met. She served as President of the Faculty Association and on the steering committee for the self-study for accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. She also sponsored the college yearbook, The Galleon, for nineteen (19) years. Dottie was named one of the “Outstanding Educators of America” while at Paris Junior College. She retired from Paris Junior College in 1982 receiving the 1996 PJC Distinguished Alumna Award. Honorary Chairperson of the PJC 2014 Annual Fund Campaign, she served on the Paris Junior College Alumni and Friends Association Board of Directors.
Dottie enjoyed traveling not only with her husband “Gene” before his death, but also with her friends and family. She had been a member of Silver Cross Circle, Lamar-Delta Retired Teachers Association, Good Earth Garden Club, Roundtable, C’est La Vie, Newcomer’s and numerous bridge clubs. She was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church having been married at the church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, grandson Zeke Thielman, and sister Emmie Jane Webb Stewart and her husband Verlin Stewart. Survivors include her son Albert Lee Thielman and wife Linda of Denison; grandchildren Christa Coons and husband Craig of Decatur and Jake Thielman and wife Amanda of Wimberley; great-grandchildren Nicholas and wife Christina, Hayden, Nathan, Abby, Zachary, Nola, Sage, Henry, Emmylou, Charlotte, Max, Savannah, Sedona, Jaxon, and Cameron; and great great grandchild Calvin.
The family would like to thank the staff at Pine Tree Ranch for their loving care of Dottie.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials to Paris Junior College, First United Methodist Church, Downtown Food Pantry, or a charity of your choice.
