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Submitted: 3/14/24 • Approved: 3/14/24 • Last Updated: 3/17/24 • R592733-G592732-S3
Dorothy Dean Sain O’Neil
1919-2018
*Photo, courtesy of Rob5380
*Obituary Dorothy Dean Sain O’Neil
Dorothy Dean (Sain) O'Neil, lover of the Lord and life, was born in Rio Vista, Texas on December 10, 1919, to Samuel Moore and Rosa Maye (Walton) Sain.
A woman of unshakable faith, she passed into the loving arms of her Savior on August 23, 2018 in Hutto, Texas, at the age of 98.
She was an only child, growing up in Big Spring, Texas, and was a direct descendent of George Walton, signer of the Declaration of Independence from Georgia.
"Dottie" loved watching her daddy play baseball for a semi-pro West Texas AAA farm team and spending summers with her grandmother, the director of the Beaumont YWCA, where she spent every day in the building's swimming pool. She loved the water. At Big Spring High School she played the violin in the orchestra and was a member of the pep squad. The post-depression years were difficult, but Dorothy was able to attend one year at Texas Technological College in Lubbock, earning the award as the "Freshman Student Performing the Best Work in the Department of Architecture" in 1940.
She returned to Big Spring where she worked at the First National Bank, and met Arnold O'Neil, a handsome Oklahoma land surveyor. They corresponded at length after his Army service in World War II, and married on June 28, 1948 in Big Spring. They moved to Midland and their daughter, Sharon Elizabeth, was born in 1952. After Sharon started school, Dorothy joined the ranks of the many "stenos" of the day. She capped her career at Gulf Oil Co. (now Chevron) as secretary to the lead attorney in Midland's legal office.
Dottie relished every form of God's beautiful creation, and took much joy honoring it in her many artistic endeavors. In addition to painting, drawing, needlework and original collages, she executed elaborate themed birthday parties for her young daughter and decorations for numerous meetings and events. She would have loved Pinterest!
The O'Neils were faithful members of the First Baptist Church of Midland, where many life-long friendships were made. Dorothy was also active in the Order of the Eastern Star, the Westside Lions Club Auxiliary, and the En Amie Book Review Club. She found an enduring "sisterhood" with the Sewing Club ladies and volunteered for the Museum of the Southwest. In 1978,
Dorothy suffered a debilitating stroke while attending a painting class. She and Arnold continued to enjoy their friends, neighbors, and frequent travels, and moved to Austin in 2009 to be closer to Sharon and her family.
After Arnold's death in 2010, Dorothy shared her smiles and happy nature with all she met, bringing a little sunshine into the lives of the staff members and fellow residents in assisted living and skilled nursing in the Austin area. Although her memory continued to fail her, she was always "having a good day." Every mealtime was a party!
Dorothy is survived by her daughter Sharon and husband Daron Butler of Cedar Park, Texas, granddaughter, Meghan E. Butler of Austin, sisters-in-law Kate Lynch of Nowata, OK, and Judy O'Neil of Edmond, OK, and her extended O'Neil family.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 7, 2018 at 1 p.m. at the Smith Family Chapel at Riverbend Church, 4214 Capital of Texas Hwy. South, Austin. Interment will follow at a later date in Big Spring, Texas.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Midland (fbc-midland.org), Alzheimer's Texas (txalz.org), or a charity of your choice.
Published in Austin American-Statesman on Sep. 2, 2018.
Contributed on 3/14/24 by neldapat
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Record #: 592733