Dorothy Nell Fouts Crockett
Dorothy Nell Fouts Crockett
November 7, 1924 — January 20, 2019
Dorothy Nell Fouts Crockett was born in Denton, Texas, Nov. 7, 1924. She died Jan. 20, 2019. Her father, Theron Judson Fouts, served as head football coach and later dean of men at what is now known as The University of North Texas. Her mother, Leslie Vann Sams Fouts, taught school and was active in many women’s groups.
She attended college at UNT, where she received a BS in home economics and was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She met her husband, Leonard Frank Crockett, at the University of Texas while doing graduate work. After they married in 1946, they moved to Odessa, where they raised their three daughters, Leslie Crockett Huckabee, Linda Crockett Musci, and Leesa Crockett Clause.
Dorothy and Frank remained married until his death in 2013. Dorothy is survived by her three daughters and their husbands and eight grandchildren, Jennifer Huckabee Brown, Amy Huckabee Slaughter, Karen Huckabee Bistram, Judson Musci, Mitch Musci, Katie Musci, Thomas Clause and Lindsay Clause; and three great-grandchildren.
Dorothy had many passions and she loved being involved in many organizations.
While in Odessa she served on the board of many organizations such as the Odessa Community Chest, Midland and Odessa Symphony Guilds, and the Odessa Contemporary art guild.
In the summer of 1972, her husband decided to move to the family to the Texas Hill Country to a brand new resort area called Horseshoe Bay. It was very difficult for her to leave Odessa but she grew to love her new home. They developed many new friends and Dorothy was a member of many new women’s groups, including the Highland Lakes Art Guild and the Highland Lakes garden club. She also loved and supported the Hill Country Community Theatre.
However, her main passion was working for the Republican Party. Dorothy Crockett helped found the Texas Federation of Republican Women in 1955 as well as the predecessor club to the Star Republican Women of Llano County.
Dorothy served as the club’s president in 1996 and 1997, as well as chairman of various committees afterwards. STAR is among the largest and most active Republican women’s group in the Hill Country.
Dorothy worked hard for the local clubs as well as the Texas Federation of Republican Women. She served as a TFRW District Director for Region XI and Senate District 24. TFRW first honored Dorothy as Outstanding Republican Woman in 1975 and many accolades followed for her continued service to TFRW.
Dorothy worked tirelessly for the Republican Party of Texas as well. She also was elected as a Texas delegate to the National Republican Convention
In addition to all her volunteer work, she taught school and she owned a dress shop, Fancy Pants, for over 28 years. She worked as a columnist chronicling the comings and goings of her neighbors as part of her "Horseshoe Bay Happenings" column for The Highlander every Friday from the 1980s through 2017, when she wrote her last article at the age of 93. She loved being able to attend all the social gatherings so that she could write them up in the newspaper.
Dorothy Crockett is well known in the Hill Country. Many have enjoyed her column while others have benefited from her community service and support of the Church of Horseshoe Bay. Last spring, Vice Chairman and President of Horseshoe Bay Resort Ron Mitchell honored Dorothy with an “Honorary Lifetime Membership to the Club at Horseshoe Bay.”
The Church of Horseshoe Bay was also a very important part of her life and her family asks that in lieu of flowers a donation be made to the church in her honor or a charity of your choice.
Her family and friends will miss her strong, passionate love of life.
A memorial service will be held at the Church of Horseshoe Bay on Feb. 4 at 1 p.m. with a reception following in the church fellowship hall.