Dovie Lee Winniford, PhD, 77, of Lumberton died Thursday, November 4, 2010, at Village Creek Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Lumberton.

A native of Cumby, Texas, Dovie taught at Silsbee High School, known to her students and colleagues as Mrs. Flowers,  for several years, she then moved to Houston to continue her studies.  Dovie was the author of several books and taught at the University of Houston for a number of years before returning to Southeast Texas. 

Dovie is survived by her children, Brooke Colvin, Robert Jerry “Jay” Flowers, Jr. of Silsbee, and Beryl Leann Decker and her husband John of Lumberton; grandchildren, Reagan Colvin, Devon Colvin, Bethany Decker, Jennifer Decker, and Jon-Michael Decker; and brother, James Winniford of Longview.

She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Beryl Winniford.

Funeral service will be 2:00 P.M. Saturday, November 6, 2010, at Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee.  Burial will be 2:00 P.M. Sunday, November 7, 2010, at Long Cemetery in Cumby, Texas.  A gathering of family and friends will be Friday, November 5, 2010, 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home.