Obituary of Howard Dorris

Services for Howard B. Dorris, 89, Kilgore, are scheduled for 10:00 am, Tuesday, May 18 at the Cottle-Pearson Funeral Home Chapel, Overton with the Reverends Atwell Hankins and Charles Scarborough officiating. Entombment will be in Rusk County Memorial Gardens. Mr. Dorris died Saturday, May 15, 2010 in a Henderson hospital. He was born January 10, 1921, in the Red Level Community, near Overton to the late William Bryant Dorris and Ollie Lee Williams Dorris. He was a lifetime resident of the Overton area. He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in the European Theater. Mr. Dorris retired as a Field Foreman from Exxon in 1986 following 35 years employment. He also worked for East Texas Salt Water for seven years. He was a longtime member of the First Assembly of God Church of Overton, where he served as a board member. He was also a member of the Exxon Annuitant's Club. Mr. Dorris married Mary Elizabeth Robins, April 9, 1944 in Henderson. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by two sons, Richard Howard Dorris in 2002 and Robert 'Bob' Bryant Dorris in 2000 and by a sister, Dorothy Beckman. Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Mary E. Dorris, Kilgore; a daughter and son-in-law, Cindi and Ronnie Sartors, Overton; daughters-in-law, Jean Dorris, Liberty City and Carmen Dorris, Overton; five grandchildren and their spouses, Kim and Gary Patocka, Sandee and Michael Sidener, Pam and John Roder, Christopher and Stacie Sartors and Amber Sartors; 10½ great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews, including Nelda and Roy Dale Worley. Pallbearers will be Sam Bain, Roger Brigmon, and grandsons, Christopher Sartors, Michael Sidener, Gary Patocka, and John Roder. Honorary Pallbearers will be Vernon Hughes and Jerome Walters. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm, Monday, May 17.