Dorothy Louise Stephens Cates

Dorothy Louise Stephens Cates, our beloved mother, sister, and our "MAW", went to sleep in death on September 14, 2013 in Mineral Wells, Texas, awaiting the resurrection. She was a resident of the Palo Pinto Nursing Center. She was 81 years of age. Dorothy was born on May 5, 1932 to Charles and Edna (Nelson) Stephens in Strawn, Texas. In the forties she was married to William Dearl Herring who was the father of her five children. She married the love of her life, Douglas Edward Cates, on October 7, 1960 in Amarillo, Texas. Graveside services were 2 PM Sunday, September 15, 2013 at Santo North Cemetery. She is survived by son and daughter-in-law: Matt Lewis and Debbie Herring of Gatesville, daughters and son-in-law: Darla Gayle and Roger Foreman of Santo, and Patty Guzman of Mineral Wells, daughters-in-law: Rosemary Herring of Leander, and Pam Herring of Granbury, 18 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren, 7 great-great-grandchildren and one on the way, numerous nieces and nephews, and her special children that she felt were her own and she loved F. L. Herring, Darla Hopkins, Joe William Herring, and Donna Ford, and brother: Marvin Stephens of Fort Worth. She was preceded in death by her brothers: Joe Thomas, James Paul, and Dale Edward Stephens, sister: Myron Luna, sons: William Dearl (Bill) Jr. and Joe Lee Herring, and her husband: Douglas Edward Cates on October 11, 1992. She was a home health care giver for most of her life, but her real joy and job was service in the Christian Ministry of Jehovah God. As a Jehovah's Witness, she went all over the county door to door declaring the good news of the Bible and the hope of a promised better future for all who took to heart Jesus Christ's message just a Jesus did. The family wants to thank the nurses, aids, and all the staff at Palo Pinto Nursing Center for the love and care given to her. Also thanks to the Palo Pinto Hospice staff, Teresa, Sheila, Denise, and Rhonda who took such loving care of her especially at the end. Thanks to Walter Davis, David Snider, and Roger Kuhn for the graveside service. Also a thank you to Linda and Jason from the funeral home. We will greatly miss her until we see her again.