Joyce Dotson

Joyce Potter Dotson, 82, passed away June 15, 2019 in Monahans, Texas.

She was born July 23, 1936 in Yeager, Kentucky the daughter of H.E. Potter and Garnet Aura Potter.

Joyce graduated from Virgie High School. Following graduation, she attended Abilene Christian College and Sul Ross University. She graduated with a BS Degree in Education.

While at ACU, she fell in love and married Frank Dotson. They celebrated 61 years of marriage on May 28, 2019. Joyce taught first grade in Wickett and Monahans, for a total of 31 years.

In that 31 years, she was also instrumental in beginning the Gifted and Talented Program and was the first counselor at the West Texas Children's home in Pyote.

She had a gift for teaching children in the public schools as well as Bible Bowl at 3rd and Dwight Church of Christ where she was a member since 1962. She also was a member of the Retired Teachers Organization.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Lois Hill and brothers Hobert and AB Potter.

Joyce is survived by one sister Anne McReynolds and husband Bob of Franklin, TN and Sister-in-law Cora Potter, of New Tazwell, TN. Other survivors include her husband, Frank Dotson of Monahans, her son Mark Dotson and wife Ashley of Lubbock, her daughter Autumn Nichols and husband John of Monahans. Surviving grandchildren are Reed Bowman and wife Ashley of McAlister, NM, Marca Grau and husband Colten of Grady NM, Tad Bowman and wife Kaitlyn of Monahans, Tavin Dotson and fiancée Mel Starck of Lubbock. She had 4 great grandchildren, Toby, Ellie and Beck Bowman of McAlister, NM., and Azlin Grau of Grady, NM. She had many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews as well. They will greatly miss her. She touched the lives of so many throughout her life.

Joyce was a strong Christian example and influenced many people in her life. She loved working in her beautiful gardens at home. She could make anything grow. She also enjoyed swimming five days a week.

She loved life and had a positive attitude about everything she encountered. She was a wonderful cook and made a point to get her family together and celebrate anything just so they would get together. She was a very giving person and always had time to listen.

Joyce chose not to have a funeral. She wanted things to be simple. She donated her body to the Health Science Center at Texas Tech University and instructed her family to get together and celebrate her life six months to a year from her passing.

She will be missed by all who knew her. She left her mark everywhere she went.

“Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.” Rabindranath Tagore

Those that want to remember Joyce in a special way may make donations to the Monahans Retired Teachers Association scholarship fund. A scholarship will be awarded to a local student going into the teaching profession. Send your donations to Beth Tuxhorn, 1109 South Leon Monahans, Texas 79756.