Dorothy "Dottie" Mae Steed (Boatright) passed away peacefully on the evening of September 20, 2021, with the love of her family surrounding her.  Dottie was born near San Antonio, Texas, in 1930, to William and Tester Boatright. She grew up in the Texas Hill country, along with her two sisters and brother. Before her senior year, her family moved to Houston, where she would graduate from Galena Park High School in 1947. This is also where Dottie became a Christian and started attending church, which she credits for changing her life.

After high school, Dottie landed a job at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and she met the love of her life, Lynn Steed. They married in June of 1948, and started a family in the Spring Branch area, where they made some of the best family friends of their life.  In 1966, they moved their family to Beaumont, Texas, in anticipation of the birth of twin daughters and went on to spend 45 years enjoying family, friends, neighbors and so many memorable events. Dottie was a devoted wife, mother, sister, friend, neighbor and mentor.

She worked as a graphic designer for Beaumont Independent School District for 15 years and retired in 1991. She had many passions including cooking, camping, exercising, sewing and hosting every holiday surrounded by her children and their friends.  Her favorite things were camping at Garner State Park, being involved with the Southwestern Bell Pioneers, and traveling with Lynn in their motorhome. They moved to Austin in 2011 and spent their remaining years living at Buckner Villas.

One of the things that most people would say about Dottie, is that she was a wonderful mom - that she put her family first, and with that intense love she would sow seeds that would grow a large, loving, and loyal legacy. She adored her role as a grandmother and spent her later years watching her grandchildren grow up to be successful adults. As it says in Proverbs 31: 28 - "Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her. There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all! Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise."

She will be greatly missed by her daughters and extended family: Jan Kingsbury and her husband, Tim; Kip Hall and her husband, Craig; Kay Kimbell and her husband, Jim; Sammy Huffaker and her husband, Chuck; and Mandy Walsh and her husband, Dan. Her grandchildren include Martin K Thomen IV and his wife Ozde; Jake Thomen and his wife, Shae; Zach Bivins and his wife, Brenda; Jessie Bivins, Cody Kimbell, Tyler Kimbell, Tanner Walsh, Addison Walsh, Grady Huffaker and Trent Huffaker. Great-grandchildren; Sloane Thomen, Keller Thomen, Ela Thomen, and Barrett Thomen.

Dottie was preceded in death by her husband, Lynn Steed, as well as her sisters, Evelyn Greeson and Jackie Shaw and her brother, Mike Boatright.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, October 22 at 11:00 a.m., at Oakwood Church in the Student Worship Center, located at 2154 Loop 337, New Braunfels, TX. Visitation to follow, with a light lunch being served.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alzheimer's Association or a charity of your choice.

The family would like to thank Buckner of Austin, especially Vivian, who kept our mother in touch with us during the pandemic. Also, Eden Hill of New Braunfels and Hope Hospice for their care, concern and kindness to our mother during the last month of her life.

"Loss of a mother can never be replaced, but the love of a mother can never be lost…" Kelly Flannery