Dorothy (Jordan) Irby

Funeral services for Dorothy Faye Jordan Irby, 98, of Pittsburg will be 3:30 p.m., Saturday, March 6, 2021 at Erman Smith Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend John R. Wade and Jimmy Jordan officiating.  Interment will be in Maple Springs Cemetery.  Mrs. Irby passed away March 2, 2021 at Southern Wind Assisted Living in Pittsburg, Texas.  She was born December 12, 1922 to Roy Lester Jordan and Dovie Lea Loftis Jordan in Newsome, Texas.  She married Lollis C. Irby on August 2, 1941.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a brother, James O. Jordan, Sr., two sisters, Marguerite Morgan Marshall and Bettye Hearn.  She is survived by several nieces and nephews.

Dorothy attended school in Newsome and Winnsboro, graduating from Winnsboro High School in 1940.   Her work experience included working in a department store, being a dental assistant for a local dentist, and being a bank teller in local banks.  She retired from the Pittsburg National Bank in 1985.

After retirement, she spent twenty-six years as a member of the Pioneer Club, serving as president for two years.   She held other offices in the club and served on the District Board for years. In 2011, the Pioneer Club celebrated one hundred years of service.  Dorothy wrote and compiled a book that included the one hundred years of the club roster and the community improvements that the club had made.  She gave copies of the book to the Camp County Library and to the local museum.

Dorothy then became involved in genealogy.  She spent countless hours researching at the library, searching the internet, writing letters, and talking to people.  The end product was a Jordan family notebook and an Irby family notebook consisting of many, many pages of information.  She gave copies of these books to nieces and nephews.  This work of the heart showed the passion she had for the younger generations to know their ancestry.

Dorothy led a life of service to others.  When she was a girl, she attended singing schools during the summer.  She learned the names of the notes and how to read music at that time.  Since she knew these things, she didn’t see any reason why she couldn’t teach herself how to play the piano.  This became a ministry for her.  She played the piano at the Presbyterian Church in Newsome for thirty years.  She told the story about a couple who came by their house in Newsome looking for someone to play at a funeral at Maple Springs.  She didn’t know the people, but she realized their need.  She agreed to help them out and play at the funeral; however, she said, “I’m not very good, but I am willing.”

Dorothy loved opening her home for family and friends.  She hosted many bridal showers, supper clubs, and family dinners.  She loved hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas Day meals with her delicious chicken and dressing and homemade yeast rolls.  Dorothy loved working in the yard and taking care of her flowerbeds.   She also liked to do needlepoint.

Those who knew Dorothy very well, knew that she had an uncanny memory.  She remembered names, birthdays, anniversaries, and just about anything else one might want to know.  She was our “go to” person for information.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church.  After moving to Southern Wind six years ago and unable to attend church, she still provided a service to her church by folding the church bulletins every week.   Dorothy also enjoyed going to the Sunday School taught by Barbara Brieger from First Baptist Church.  She really missed this when visitors were no longer permitted to come to the facility.   However, Dorothy continued to faithfully read her Bible and study.

Dorothy had a servant’s heart.  She was kind and gracious, always willing to help others.  She was a perfect example of the faithful wife, the loving aunt, and the loyal friend. She was dearly loved by many and will be truly missed.   The family would like to thank Cypress Basin Hospice for their tender care of their loved one.

Visitation will be from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday, March 6, 2021 at Erman Smith Funeral Home Chapel.