Dorothy Robertson

FUNERAL SERVICES: 2:00 P.M. Saturday, May 1, at First United Methodist Church. BURIAL: Oakwood Cemetery in Comanche. VISITATION: Family will receive friends at Comanche Funeral Home on Friday evening from 6:00 P.M. until 7:30 P.M. LUNCH: Lunch for the family will be at First United Methodist Church at 12:00 Noon on Saturday. MEMORIALS: If desired memorials may be made to Comanche County Museum, P.O. Box 22, Comanche, Texas 76442; or First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 88, Comanche, Texas 76442. Dorothy Foster Robertson, of Comanche, died peacefully, while sleeping on Sunday, April 25, 2010. She was 95. Dorothy was born in Sipe Springs, Comanche County, Texas on January 16, 1915, the middle child of 7, born to Walter and Clara Foster. She grew up in Sipe Springs, attended schools there and graduated from Comanche High School. She attended El Centro College in El Centro, California, and McMurry College in Abilene, Texas from 1932 to 1935. In 1935, while working in the Comanche County Clerk’s Office, she met John M. Robertson. They fell in love and were married in 1937, for 64 years, until his death in 2001. She began working at the Comanche County Abstract Company in 1937, later purchasing and owning the company from 1944 to 1949. She and John sold it in 1949 to purchase a ranch, but per the terms of the sale, she continued to work there running the office. After retiring, she filled in at the Abstract Office for vacations and illness, then came back to work part time in the middle 90’s until 2002, when she suffered a stroke. All totaled, Mrs. Robertson was associated with the Abstract Company for nearly 65 years. She continued be involved in the ranch until her death. Ever the student of history, Dot (as many family members and friends called her) served as Comanche County Historical Chairman for 25 years (1975 to 2000). In 1975, she and a group of other local service-minded citizens organized the Comanche County Historical Society for the purpose of forming, promoting and maintaining the Comanche County Museum. For many years, most weekends would find her at the museum acting as a docent along with her very dear friends. Through the years, she served in various leadership positions at the museum, including Vice President, Treasurer and Director. She was also an active member of the Brown County Historical Society. Dorothy was awarded the Cornerstone Award by the Comanche Chamber of Commerce in 1995 for lifelong contributions to Comanche County, and was also chosen in 1989 to represent the county for President George H. W. Bush’s Points of Light program. In 2000, she was recognized by the State of Texas, for her many years of service to her community with a Millennium Flag that had flown over the State Capital in Austin on 1/1/2000. In 2009, the Senate of the State of Texas commended her with a Senate Proclamation for her many accomplishments and contributions by promoting the heritage of Comanche County and the State of Texas. In addition to her duties at the museum, for many years, Dorothy was the author of over 800 weekly articles in the Comanche Chief and the DeLeon Free Press. Under the title of Museum Musings, Dorothy recounted the weekly visitors to the museum, developments on the county’s historical markers, the latest donations of historical items as well as sprinkling a bit of humor and always a splash of history. In the latter part of 2005 and 2006, she began to turn the reins of the Musings column to other members of the museum and finally retired from official duties in June, 2006. In 2008, Dorothy was honored by the Comanche County Museum for her many years as a director and officer. Dorothy was always proud of the aggressive approach Comanche had taken regarding observing its history. She assisted those efforts by researching and/or writing the text for over 35 historical markers located in the county throughout the years. Her most recent submission was for the Hanson Cemetery in northeast Comanche County, which was dedicated this week. For several years, she worked with Comanche County Farm and Ranching families to collect information for application to the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Family Land Heritage Program, for farms and ranches that have been owned and operated by the same family for more than a century. At last count, there are over 25 Comanche County Farms and Ranches that have received this award. Dorothy was a leader in the Methodist Church in Comanche for many years. She taught Sunday School at all levels – children, youth and adult, most recently teaching the Agnes Graham adult women’s class from 2003 to 2007 as well as holding various official positions at the church through the years, including Administrative Board, Finance Committee, Stewardship Committee, United Methodist Women, Wesleyan Service Guild, Council on Ministries, Board of Trustees, conference delegate to Annual Conference, and of course, Church Historian. Through the years she served as Band Mother and Adult 4-H Leader when her kids were growing up, and was a member of the local chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star for over 50 years, holding many different offices, including Worthy Matron. She also served as president of the Comanche Study Club and Historical Committee Chair for the local chapter of the Federated Club and continued to be an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Members of her family who are celebrating her life include her daughter, Jane Ann Zimmerman and husband Hap, her son, John Wayne Robertson and wife, Becca, 4 grandchildren – Julie Zimmerman, Aubrey, Lauren and John M.(Jack) Robertson, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.