Memorial to be held at a later date.
Dorothy Nell was born December28,1920 to Horace and Carolyn (Chapman) Choate. She grew up in Sulphur Springs and Graduated from Sulphur Springs High School in 1938. She attended East Texas State University (now Texas A&M at Commerce).
Nell married Lon Gee on June 8,1941. They were high school sweethearts, and married at age 20. This marriage lasted more than 77 years and would have lasted forever if death had not intervened. World War II started a few months after their wedding and their lives were immediately affected. In a military career of 28 years, they lived in Texas, California, Alabama, and Mississippi. And also two years on Okinawa, two years in England, and a short time in Tripoli, Libya.
Nell was always known as a kind, generous, and helpful person. She was one of those rare people whose greatest delight was doing something for someone else. Not only family and friends, but numerous acquaintances and some total strangers. She was an accomplished hostess, forever inviting others to her table.
But her kindness was accompanied by a strength that was legendary. She endured great hardships with a smile and no complaint. She spent almost 2 years on Okinawa, living in a Quonset hut with no hot water or kitchen appliances at all. She cooked meals for friends on a hot plate she brought from home. She lived in a compound from which she was forbidden to leave without an armed escort. Her first child was born in a Quonset hut manned by a Philippine Scouts medical unit.
In Libya, she lived in a villa surrounded by a an 8-foot wall with a steel gate and broken glass on top. In the “good” years in the United States, she continued to raise two children and attend to house, cars, mortgages, domestic disasters, and everything else when her husband was absent for months at a time. No one can recall any complaint by her at any of these times.
In retirement, she played tennis for a number of years, and helped to create a social group of players and friends that remained close forever aVerward. She played a sort of “Mother Hen” role, as usual, and was greatly loved by all.
Nell was a great communicator. She could bring a smile to the most woeful face. In any social group, she would be a leader, because she reached out to people with a gracious smile and a sincere desire to help.
Survivors are : Michael Gee and wife Belinda, Alan Gee and wife Janice. 5 Grandchildren Sara, Daniel, Jason, Jonathan, and Kyle. 4 Great Grandchildren Finn, June, Alex and Andy.
The family thanks the staff and caregivers at Brookdale Westlake Hills. Also kudos to the kind helpers at St. Davids Hospice (formerly Brookdale Hospice).
Special Thanks to dedicated personal caregivers Denise Easdon, Heather Bird, and Stella Armstrong.
Nells husband Lon wrote most of this Obituary.
The family requests any Memorials or donations be made to the charity of your choice.
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