Dorothy Schmidt Spencer
Dorothy Schmidt Spencer, 93, died Nov. 25, 2010. She was born Dorothy Mae Black Nov. 5, 1917, in Harrison County into a Texas pioneering family. Her parents were Irvin Lafayette and Mabel Thomas Black.
She grew up in Hallsville with brothers Thomas and Leonard. She began her education at age 5, traveling to San Marcos on the train alone to live with her grandparents.
She graduated from high school in Hallsville and received her bachelor’s degree in San Marcos after studying elementary education, psychology and art. She taught elementary school and was a principal for almost 40 years.
She went to evening and summer classes to earn a master’s degree in elementary education.
She married A.C. “Smitty” Schmidt and had a daughter.
Her lifelong interests included family history, music, art and above all teaching young people. She was a gifted artist, working in oils, watercolors, pastels and oil pastels. Her well-loved specialty was portraits.
Survivors include daughter Carla; grandchildren Kristin and Jon; and sisters-in-law Louise King and Lillie Matthews.
A funeral service is 2 p.m. Nov. 30 at First United Methodist Church in Burnet. Interment is 2 p.m. Dec. 1 at Memory Park in Longview.
Arrangements handled by Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home, 306 Texas 29 East in Burnet, (512) 756-2222.
For condolences, visit www.clementswilcox.com.