Dorothy Francis Hutcheson

Dorothy Francis Hutcheson August 21, 1916 - June 29, 2011 Dorothy Francis Hutcheson, 94, of The Woodlands, Texas, passed peacefully on Wednesday, June 29, 2011, in Houston. Known affectionately as Dot and Nannie, she lived a fascinating life and always retained a young-at-heart spirit, which endeared her to everyone. Services will be 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 6, at First Baptist Church, 601 E. Texas Ave, Mart, TX 76664 with Rev. Bob Hairston and Rev. Gary Kreder officiating. After the service a brief graveside blessing will occur at Mart Cemetery. A Celebration of Life with food and refreshment will follow at the First Baptist Church of Mart. Dorothy Francis was born August 21, 1916, in Mart, Tex., to Oscar Mills Francis and Eva Ingram Francis. Following the untimely death of her father in 1925, the family moved to 18th Street and Flint in Waco, where she attended school and the Baptist church, picnicked and swam in the Brazos River, loved to go to the movies but never on Sunday and enjoyed the company of her large Ingram family. During WWII, she lived in Ft. Worth and San Diego, California, where she worked the assembly line in defense plants to build the North American P-51 Mustang and B-25 Mitchell Bomber. In 1947, she returned to Texas eventually settling in Houston where she worked as a professional in the food service industry. During the 1950s she worked as "Mary Carter" on the Mary Carter's Cookbook show, seen in Houston on KTRK ABC and KGUL CBS. She was a long-time member of the American Women in radio and television. Later, she was the Institutional and Consumer Director for the Rice Council for Market Development, which promoted the sale and consumption of American grown rice and allowed her to travel extensively across North America and abroad. Forced into early retirement after injuries sustained in a car accident made extensive travel impossible, Dorothy looked at is as an opportunity instead of a setback. Retiring to The Woodlands, she enjoyed corresponding with the many friends she made throughout her career, bingo, crocheting, painting, gardening, reading, making crafts, volunteering at local hospitals and grandmothering. In her final years, Dorothy didn't get out and about as much as she had in the past, but she was able to fulfill her wish of remaining in her home as long as she was physically able. This was possible due to her own independent some may say stubborn spirit, as well as the vigilant attention provided by her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Margaret Ethridge and Molly Lee Allison; and brothers, O.M. Francis and James Francis. Nannie is survived by her son, Wayland Hutcheson and wife, Barbara, of Houston; her grandson, James Hutcheson, resident of Richmond State School in Richmond, TX; her granddaughter, Lauri Hutcheson Boen, of Normangee, TX; and great granddaughter, Kasha Boen, student at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX; as well as a large, loving extended family. "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; Love leaves a memory no one can steal." Irish toast In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials may be made to the Parents Association of the Retarded of Texas, P.O. Box 9733, Austin TX 78766, or the charity of your choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com.