Dolores Rae George

On her last day on earth, even as talking was becoming too difficult for her, Dolores Rae George was enjoying inspirational music with her family, leading her grandchildren in the gestures that accompany “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” Her focus as she approached the end of her life was the same as that with which she lived her life — an emphasis on faith and family. And she departed this life for heaven later that afternoon, May 8, surrounded by family.

Her remains will be interred at the Veterans’ Cemetery in Abilene, Texas, alongside those of her loving husband of 60 years, Walter George, who served his country as a military police officer in the Air Force and later as a career public servant. Prior to the interment, there will be a memorial service at the cemetery pavilion on Walt and Dolores’ anniversary, September 30.

Dolores was born in Brentwood, California, October 6, 1939, to Harold and Marie Copeland. She joined an older sister, Shirley, and later welcomed a younger sister, Judy. The sisters would grow up best friends and remain best friends throughout their lives. The young family eventually moved to San Angelo, Texas, and Dolores lived in west Texas for most of her life, primarily in Midland.

Dolores has told of praying every night to find a man who would be a good husband and father, and her prayers were answered when she rode along with friends to a truck-stop in Big Spring, arriving there at about the same time as Walter George and several of his Air Force buddies. Dolores was grateful to have met the love of her life in such a chance encounter, but the truck-stop setting always made her a little uncomfortable telling the story. (Walt enjoyed teasing Dolores by telling others in her presence that they met at a church social). They married on Sept. 30, 1960, spent time early in their marriage in Alaska while Walt was stationed there, and settled in Midland when he completed his military service.

Walt and Dolores welcomed two children to their growing family, Kathy, on Aug. 30, 1966, and Gary, December 19, 1969. Walt and Dolores were committed to hard work, faith, and family — their consistency and dedication provided advantages for their children that they themselves never enjoyed, and they watched with pride as both Kathy and Gary graduated from college and law school.

When Kathy and Gary each got married, Dolores warmly embraced their spouses as part of her family. Brian and Carrie had heard all the typical “mother-in-law” stories and jokes, but quickly found that none of that “in-law” stuff even remotely described Dolores. There was no “in-law” with her — you were part of her family and she loved you and supported you completely.

“Sister” … “Wife” … “Mother” … Dolores excelled at each of these titles. But perhaps the title for which she was most perfectly designed by God was “Grandmother.” And her special grandmotherly talent? Simply her time. Lots of time. Any time. Every time. Whether it was answering their early morning phone calls, awaiting their arrival on her front porch, baking her famous oatmeal and chocolate chip cookies, taking walks in the park, playing Wahoo (and letting a granddaughter choose her favorite color), watching endless popcorn-fueled hours of Disney movies, telling corny jokes (“Dodie jokes”), eating at Tampico, or picking wild raspberries on the side of an Oregon road, she always brought warmth and joy to her grandchildren’s lives. And they will carry her forward as part of their lives and think of her whenever they “see bluebonnets,” “break open a new roll of paper towels,” “eat queso,” “do a deep clean of my room,” “listen to Alan Jackson” or “put up my ‘12 Days of Christmas’ ornaments.” Grandmother was “my sunshine.”

Dolores was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Marie Copeland; her husband, Walter George; her sister, Judy McClanahan; and her niece, Becky Van Dyke.

She is survived by her children, Kathy and Brian Serr, and Gary and Carrie George; by her grandchildren, Haley and Ethan Samuels, Grace Serr, Hannah George, Olivia Serr, and Sophia Serr. She is also survived by her sister, Shirley Havlik; her sister Judy’s husband, Keith McClanahan; and by many beloved nieces and nephews.

Dolores lived according to a simple belief: God put us here to help each other. To be caregivers for each other. Her gentleness and easy joy often masked a toughness borne of an underlying strength of spirit. Those who watched closely saw this in the tenacious way she cared for others: for each of her parents as they declined, for Walt as he was overtaken by cancer, and over the years for elderly neighbors —whether they needed help in their home, or a ride to the doctor, or to the grocery store, or even, in one elderly gentleman’s case, a ride to the liquor store (despite her general feelings about alcohol). She met people with needs where and when they needed her, without any expectation of reward, and without judgement.

Even at the end of her life, while undergoing cancer treatments, Dolores met each day with kindness, joy, and love shown to her caregivers — the nurses, staff, and Dr. Harris at Texas Oncology, her nurses and aides at The Blake, and others. She repeatedly expressed her gratitude to them, and her family also wishes to do the same.

Gifts in honor of Dolores’ life may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to Shepherd’s Way (shepherds-way.org) which supports young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

We invite you to leave a message or memory of Dolores on her “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.