Doris Jeanne Craig Authement, 83, of Orange, died Saturday, July 24, 2010, at Park Manor in Houston.

She was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas and lived in Beaumont before moving to Orange; Doris was born March 13, 1927, to Kathryn Dill Craig and Felix Adrain Craig.

She taught ballroom dancing during the 1940’s through the 1960’s and owned her own dance studio in Orange. Doris and her husband James enjoyed traveling and lived in a variety of places such as Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Singapore.  She also enjoyed writing novels, but most of all Doris loved raising her five children.

Survivors include her children, Jerry Gatch of Las Vegas, Nevada, Tom Gatch and Dolly Covington both of Houston, Randy Authement of Boerne and Ricky Authement of Albuquerque, New Mexico; brother, James “Jim” Craig and his wife Dianne Craig of Beaumont; grandchildren, Craig Gatch of Kirkland, Washington, Rhonda Adams of Syracuse, Utah, Jesse Covington of Dallas, Katie Covington Cole of Beaumont, Skylar Authement and Dane Authement both of Albuquerque, New Mexico; great-grandson, Elijah Cole; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, James Authement; and her brother, Ross Craig.

Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 28, 2010, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont with burial to follow at Magnolia Cemetery. A gathering of her family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 27, 2010, at Broussard’s.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association, P.O. Box 7015, Beaumont, Texas 77726; the Dizzy Feet Foundation, 9560 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 500, Beverly Hills, California 90212, to support and increase access to dance; or you may view their website at www.dizzyfeetfoundation.org/donate.php