Doris Wanell Tresenriter

Wanell was born on August 23, 1929, in Dallas, Texas to Reuel Watson and Nell Bly Cook Stephens. After graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School, she met and married the love of her life, Franklin Keith Tresenriter, and began raising their three children. She went on to work in secretarial/administrative positions, and retired from the Dallas Independent School District with her last assignment at Skyline High School.

As an adult, Wanell enjoyed teaching children’s Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and in more recent years, helping out in the Grief Share ministry. She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church Garland and the Sarah Class led by Candie Nelson. When she was not able to attend in person, she faithfully watched online, and could often be heard softly humming along with the worship songs and joyfully greeting the Sarah “Sisters” through Zoom. An avid reader, her favorite author was Max Lucado, and she would occasionally share one of his devotionals which she thought particularly meaningful with the class.

One of Wanell’s hobbies was crocheting, and she made beautiful handiwork for family and friends. She also loved crocheting baby blankets and baby hats and lovingly donated countless quantities to various organizations.

Wanell was preceded in death by her husband, Franklin Keith Tresenriter to whom she had been married for 58 years; son, Stephen Keith Tresenriter; parents, Reuel Watson and Nell Cook Stephens; sister, Mary Evelyn Herron; brothers, R. W. Stephens, Jr., and Bobby Vernon Stephens; and step-daughter Geneva Ann Haag.

She is survived by daughters, Marcia Lynn Grounds and husband Dale, and Terry Lane Koschel; grandchildren Amber Dawn Haag, Cameron Dale Grounds and wife Ryan, Bryan Keith Tresenriter, Ashley Colleen Grounds, and Tara Shawn Parra and husband Dre; great-grandchildren Sebastian George Parra, Christian Andres Parra, and Geneva Elena Parra; sister Anita Kaye Unger and husband Doug; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. with a memorial service to follow at 1:30 p.m. in the Cockrell Chapel of First Baptist Church, 801 W. Avenue D, Garland, TX. Dr. Greg Ammons will officiate. Burial will be at Grove Hill Memorial Park, 3920 Samuell Blvd, Dallas, TX immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Wanell’s name to Friendship House, a benevolence ministry sponsored by First Baptist Church Garland, 801 W. Avenue D, Garland, TX 75040.