Dorothy Faison

Dorothy was born August 15, 1928 in Longview, TX to Burt and Birdie Smith. She grew up in Hawkins, Texas where she graduated as valedictorian of Hawkins High School. Following high school, Dorothy attended Baylor University and graduated in 1949.

After college, Dorothy moved to Wichita Falls where she was the church secretary at First Baptist Church. After some time, Dorothy returned to Hawkins where she served as the pianist for her home church, First Baptist Church Hawkins. It was in this capacity that she met the love of her life, Glenn, when he was serving as the Minister of Music for the church.

After she and Glenn married, Dorothy began her life’s work as a mother and minister’s wife. Dorothy embraced the life of church work with a willing heart. She taught Sunday School, led children’s choir, worked with the WMU, sang in the adult choir, and participated in numerous women’s ministries. She and Glenn served churches in Gladewater, TX, Bryan, TX, Big Spring, TX, Longview, TX, and lastly at First Baptist Church Norman, OK. As a mom, Dorothy was always there to help with a project or lend a listening and supportive ear.

One of Dorothy’s greatest joys was being the grandmother to 5 wonderful grandsons. Cullin, Carter, Clay, Jordan, and Jason always knew Meemaw could be counted on for fun, laughter, awesome food, and a DDP!

Dorothy loved to travel. In addition to snow skiing into her early 70’s, she and Glenn were able to travel to numerous countries and nearly every state. She enjoyed keeping journals of all their trips and in the last few years enjoyed reminiscing about all the fun experiences they had traveling.

Dorothy loved the Lord, loved her family, and had a servant’s heart for both. She left us a great example to follow.

Dorothy was preceded in death by Glenn, her husband of 57 years, her parents, and her brother, John Mack Smith of Longview.

Dorothy is survived by son Kent Faison and wife Ann of Norman; daughter, Karol Roach and husband Jack of The Woodlands, TX; grandson Cullin Faison of Oklahoma City; grandson Carter Faison and husband Russell of Austin, TX; grandson Clay Faison of Colorado Springs, CO; grandson Jordan Roach and wife Gentry of Celina, TX; and grandson, Jason Roach of Houston, TX. In addition to her five grandsons, Dorothy is survived by 4 great grandchildren: Madeline Claire Faison of Oklahoma City, and Jett Michael Roach, Addie McKay Roach, and Collins Mae Roach of Celina, TX.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff of Valir Hospice, in particular Daphne, and to the staff of Arbor House Reminisce for their compassionate care and support.

Memorial donations in Dorothy’s name may be made to First Baptist Church, Norman.