Dorothy Ann Kotrla

Dorothy Ann Bowles Kotrla of Georgetown entered into rest the morning of March 28, 2019 in Taylor.  Born January 3, 1931, she was eighty-eight years old at her passing.  She was a near-lifelong resident of Williamson County.

She was married to Albert Kotrla on August 25, 1949 at Granger Brethren Church in Granger.  Together, they raised their three daughters, farming land primarily in the Jonah-Circleville-Hutto area.

Dorothy’s life was centered around faith, family and home.  She served the Granger Brethren Church for many years as a Sunday School teacher and as a member of the Christian Sisters organization.  Dorothy and Albert raised their family to support the church and its’ ministry.

Dorothy simultaneously kept an immaculate house, prepared three meals a day for her family and their frequent guests, drove a grain truck for Albert when he needed it, hauled cotton trailers to the gin during picking season, picked up spare tractor parts in town, paid all the household bills, kept books on the family farms, hosted the brothers and nephews and friends who dropped by to see Albert about farming, all the while directing three daughters through schools first in Hutto and later in Georgetown.

Together, Dorothy and Albert were a team.  They each contributed the work and effort necessary to get the goal accomplished, whether it was getting those last few acres planted or fertilized or welcoming their children and grandchildren home to the many family celebrations – the births, the marriages, and even the funerals – that are a part of life.  Their footprints in the sand marched side by side for sixty-four years until there was only one of them left.  Our faith teaches us that they are now reunited in Heaven, once again partners in support of their faith, family and home.  We rejoice in the sure knowledge that they are together again.

Dorothy was preceded in death by husband, Albert William Kotrla, her mother and father, Narcicus Sheppard Bowles and David Samuel Bowles, and by two sisters Jenive Stapp and Ruby Nordyke.

She is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law:  Barbara and Mickey McDaniel of Thorndale; Linda and Danny Vickers of Marlin, and Carolyn and Harry Taylor of Canyon.

Dorothy is survived by 7 grandchildren: Michelle Lafferty and husband Quinn of Thorndale; Terri Cervenka and husband Jason of Houston; Scott Vickers and wife Anna of Keller; Lauren Wilson and husband Joe of Temple; Allison Wolfe and husband Andrew of Temple; Bradley Taylor and wife Elise of Amarillo; and Jared Taylor and wife Megan of Amarillo.

Dorothy leaves behind 10 great-grandchildren: Makayla Lafferty, Carson Cervenka, Cameron Cervenka, Olivia Wilson, Amelia Vickers, Anthony Wilson, Juliana Wolfe, Wesley Vickers, Callan Taylor, Cade Taylor, and Kyler Taylor.

She survived by one sister, Estelle Larson of Elgin, sister in law, Evelyn Bouska of San Angelo, and a number of nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express its’ heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the staff and directors at the SPJST Nursing Home in Taylor.  Many of them gave tirelessly to make Dorothy’s last years as pleasant as they could be.  The staff members were always helpful and responsive to any concerns that were raised during her time there.

A visitation will be held Saturday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 at Providence Funeral Home in Taylor.  Funeral services will be held at the Granger Brethren Church Sunday, March 31, 2019 at 2:00 with burial following at the Granger Cemetery.  Pallbearers are Scott Vickers, Bradley Taylor, Jared Taylor, Quinn Lafferty, Jason Cervenka, Joe Wilson and Andrew Wolfe.