Dorothy Louise McElyea

Dorothy Louise McElyea, age 96, of Texas passed away on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at the Villages of Lake Highlands in Dallas Texas. She was born on Tuesday, July 6, 1926, in Tyler, Texas to A. L. Starling and Helen Florence.

Dorothy was raised by her grandmother Bertha Starling. She attended Queen Street Baptist Church growing up and attended Tyler High School. Dorothy began working at the age of 17 for Gordons Jewelers on the square in Tyler. She started a lifelong career in banking and continued up the ladder becoming an executive administrative assistant. She worked for banking and financial institutions in Natchez, MS and Dallas, Texas throughout her career. Her career was a very important part of her life. She continued to work until the age of 88.

The family would like for you to know that their Mother, Mama, Memaw, and Mama Dot was truly loved and a inspiration to all of her family. She will be truly missed. Each of us hold a very special place in our hearts for her and have many wonderful and special memories. From all of us piling in the car and heading to El Charro to terrorize the waitresses to riding up and down Broadway with the grandchildren in the yellow gremlin with the windows rolled down playing loud music.

Dorothy is survived by her 4 children, Carol Aven Golden of Garland, Texas, Sharon Aven Moncrief and husband Gary of Tyler, Texas, Nancy Dawson Barfoot and her husband, Kenneth of Brandon, Mississippi, and Mark Vickery and his wife, Laurrie of Ennis Texas; five grandchildren, Derrell Bledsoe Jr. of Tyler, Texas, Vicki Moncrief Hand of Tyler, Texas, Lisa Carol Bledsoe of Garland, Texas, Christi Moncrief Baldridge of Tyler, Texas, Stephen Barfoot of Germantown Tennessee and Justin Johnston of Ennis, Texas; six great grandchildren and seven great great grandchildren.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, M. G. Aven Jr., father of Carol and Sharon; her husband, Larry Dawson, father of Nancy and her husband Gene Vickery, and father of Mark Vickery; her grandchildren Cindy, and Joey Bledsoe; great grandchild, Amanda Bledsoe; and grandchild, Matt Johnston of Ennis, Texas.

Contributions in Dorothy's memory may be made to a charity of your choice.

A time of visitation for Dorothy will be held Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at 10:00 am in the Chapel of Tyler Memorial Funeral Home, following the graveside service at 11:00 am in the Tyler Memorial Park Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.tylermemorial.com for the McElyea family.