Dorothy Pierce Geers, 77, of Beaumont, died Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth.
A native of Bogalusa, Louisiana, Dorothy was the second child born to Ephram Eli Pierce and Ruth Alice Pigott on September 6, 1930. Educated in Bogalusa and active in the high school band, she attended Southwestern University. In 1950 she relocated to Beaumont where she attended Lamar State College. As a member of the first graduating class of Lamar State College in 1953, Dorothy obtained a BS in Home Economics. Later she received a Masters degree in Education. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society since 1972, and a member of the Beaumont Association for Retired Teachers (BART). Dorothy taught in the South Park School District and later in the combined Beaumont District and during this time she mentored student teachers from Lamar. In 1988 she retired from teaching at Regina Howell.
Dorothy was a life member since 1973 of the Texas State Teacher’s Association (TSTA), president of South Park area from 1975-1976, and District V from 1980-1981. During that time she served one year as an ombudsman for former School Superintendent, O.C. “Mike” Taylor. Her students and alumni would know her through the years as Mrs. Stafford.
Dorothy loved to travel and made a round-the-world trip by air to China, India, and Russia at a time when traveling those countries was restricted. She also traveled to Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii, as well as a cruise of the North Sea and the Baltic Ocean from England, Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Russia and Denmark. She made numerous Caribbean Cruises visiting Bermuda, Jamaica, The Caicos, Cayman Islands and Mexico by both land and sea. She and her husband, Arthur cruised the rivers of Europe from Amsterdam to Budapest, visiting Holland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia. Her favorite was a recent trip to Ireland.
Through her contacts made in Japan, she had student guests of Japan for several months each.
Dorothy has always had an interest in music and dance. She was a square and round dance member of the Swinging Singles and Thicketeer’s Clubs, a member of the Lovaline Dancers who visited nursing homes and also danced in the Junior League LUV Follies, and a member of the Symphony League of Southeast Texas.
Dorothy loved gardening, birds, and animals of all kind especially her dogs, Twiggy, Missy and “The Beesh”. She had hummingbird feeders outside her window which she enjoyed watching over.
Survivors include her husband of six years, Arthur E. Geers of Beaumont; brother, Roy L. Pierce and his wife Mary Lou of Ponchatoula, Louisiana; niece, Melanie Sanchez and her husband Glenn of Ponchatoula; nephew, Jacob Sanchez; niece, Bethany Sanchez; and other loving family members.
Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 22, 2007 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. . A gathering of family and friends will be from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Sunday, October 21, 2007 at the Mortuary.
As a member for over fifty years Dorothy would be pleased that memorial contributions be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1352, Beaumont, Texas 77704.
Honorary pallbearers are the Esther Sunday School Class.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Daniel J. Harmon, Dr. Alfred B. Brady, Dr. Charles Crim, Dr. Byron K. Beaver and their staffs for all the care and concern over the years.
