Dorothy Marie Williams Steward

Article Last Updated; Thursday, November 05, 2009 12:12AM

Steward

Former Durango resident Dorothy Marie Williams Steward died in Bryan, Texas, on Friday, Oct. 30, 2009. She was 83.

Known as "Dot," she was born to Nora Mae Young and Ewell R. Williams Sr., in Rosebud, Falls County, Texas, on Aug. 16, 1926.

She graduated from Abilene Christian College with a degree in business in 1948 and worked for years as a secretary, first at churches in Abilene and Portland, Ore., and then as an executive secretary with Humble Oil in Houston.

In 1968, she married Chester E. Steward in Houston and moved to the Steward Ranch outside Durango. Mrs. Steward was a painter, sculptor, seamstress, amateur rock hound and avid reader.

She enjoyed driving tractors and all aspects of life on a mountain ranch.

"She had no children, but was a great influence on her nieces and nephews," her family wrote. "She was a woman of great faith." In her retirement, Mrs. Steward lived in Farmington, Tucson, Ariz., and most recently in Bryan.

Mrs. Steward was preceded in death by her husband, Chester E. "Bud" Steward.

She is survived by her sister, Rosemary Newman, of Pasadena, Texas; three nephews; two nieces; and nine great-nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, CO 80995; or Animas Pregnancy Center, 1200 Schofield Lane, Farmington, NM 87401.

Online condolences may be sent to www.CallawayJones.com.