Dorothy Mae King was born to Silas "Butch" and Alma "Trixie" Dorsey King in Alexandria, Louisiana on Wednesday, September 13th, 1939. She was the third of twelve children and the eldest daughter. Seeking greater opportunities, Silas secured a job in Port Arthur, Texas with Texas Oil Refinery in 1944. The plan was for him to go ahead of the family and get settled in their home before sending for Alma and the four children at that time. Dorothy cried and pleaded to go with her daddy-and her persistence won them over. Alma and her boys came in January 1945.

Dorothy followed her parent's philosophy from a young age. "Anything that is worth doing is worth doing well." As a result, she excelled in school. Her friends affectionately called her "Cool Dottie Ree." She graduated as Valedictorian from Port Arthur Lincoln High School. As a proud Bumblebee, among the honors she received were "Ideal Student", "Most Outstanding Student", "American Legion Award for Citizenship", "Student Council Award for Leadership" (she served as President), and "National Honor Society Award for Scholarship". She was also a member of the basketball team. Upon graduation, she attended Texas Southern University in Houston, TX on an academic scholarship. Additional scholarships received were from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the National Business and Professional Women Clubs of America. At TSU, she joined the Baptist Student Union, Lanier Hall Council, and Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society. She was recognized with numerous awards, including the Dean Ina A. Bolton Finer Womanhood Award, Zeta Phi Beta's Lady of the Year, and inclusion in Who's Who Among American Colleges and Universities. Dorothy graduated Cum Laude with a B.A. in English. Additional studies were done at the University of Texas and East Texas State University-Texarkana.
It was at Texas Southern that she met Bobby Lamar Pace of Texarkana, Texas and they were married in Port Arthur on June 16th, 1962. They just celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. Dorothy, being the oldest girl, often took on the role of a second mother while Alma worked outside of the home. It's said that some of her brothers feared Bobby would take her away from them, so they gave him a proper "family initiation" the night before the wedding. To this union was born Bobby Lamar Pace, Jr. on October 18, 1967.
Teaching was Dorothy's passion. Over the years, she taught English, Language Arts, and Journalism at Lincoln High School, her alma mater. While stationed in Okinawa, Japan, she taught English Enhancement to allied military officers from The Philippines, Vietnam, Korea, and Taiwan. Later, she taught in North Carolina at Pope Air Force Base before settling into a 29-year career at Pine Street Junior High (later Texas Middle School) in Texarkana, Texas. Known for being firm but fair, she was respected by students and faculty alike. She was listed in Who's Who Among America's Teachers, among other honors. She retired from teaching in 2003 and was inducted into the Texarkana Independent School District's Hall of Fame in 2016.
Dorothy also believed deeply in serving the Lord. At Oak Street Baptist Church, she served faithfully in the Deaconess Ministry and as Financial Secretary for many years. She frequently spoke during church programs and touched the lives of many through her words and example. Her hobbies included bowling, playing pinochle, sewing, reading, working word puzzles, and don't get her started on her beloved Dallas Cowboys!
Dorothy leaves behind to cherish her memory a husband, Bobby L. Pace, Sr. of Texarkana, TX; a son, Bobby L. Pace, Jr. (Rechelle) of Celina, TX; a grandson, Justin Nicholas Pace, of Celina, TX; two brothers, Eligah King of Sugarland, TX and Donald King (Annette) of Sugarland, TX; three sisters, Alma Guillory (Lester) of Beaumont, TX, Maude King of Port Arthur, TX, and Rachel Tanner (Gary) of Katy, TX; Nieces and Nephews whom she adored, and a host of other relatives, friends, and loved ones. She is preceded in death by her father, Silas (2008), her mother, Alma (2006), and brothers Lee Arthur (1944), Silas, Jr. (1988), John Henry (2002), Robert (2003), Clarence (2007), and Leonard (2022).
Funeral services for Mrs. Dorothy Pace will be 11:00 Saturday, July 12, 2025 at the First Baptist Church Moore's Lane with viewing one hour prior to services. Online registration is available at www.haynesmortuary.com