Dortha Juanelle Scates' Obituary
Dortha Juanelle Scates, age 90, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 1, 2019 in Plano, Texas.Dortha Juanelle Scates was born in Grays Prairie, Texas to her parents Manuel and Ethel Robison on October 4, 1929. She grew up in Canton and was a farm girl through and through. Dortha enjoyed a career in Nursing after graduating from Methodist School of Nursing in Dallas, Texas in 1950. She married Bruce R. Scates, Jr. in 1950 and lived in Houston for several years before returning to Dallas to settle in what would be their home for the next 61 years.Throughout the years, Dortha worked in physician offices and was the company Nurse for Neiman Marcus, Taylor Publishing Company, and a banking institution in downtown Dallas. Beyond her career in nursing, Dortha’s primary job in life was that of caretaker – she cared for others throughout her entire life. She was the family and neighborhood nurse. She was also known for her caring and giving spirit and sharing that sentiment through sending greeting cards.Dortha and Bruce loved their farm in Kaufman and enjoyed sharing the produce they grew with family and friends. Dortha also loved nature and birdwatching, and those who knew her dearly certainly knew of her love for owls. She took great joy in the last few years of life feeding the birds and squirrels and watching as they provided entertainment for her and the residents in her homes.One of Dortha’s greatest joys in life was becoming a grandmother and being “Grammy” to her precious granddaughter Gail Ann, the light of her life.Dortha and Bruce were charter members of St. Stephens United Methodist Church in Mesquite and later members of White Rock United Methodist Church. Dortha had a special relationship with God. She read her Upper Room and Daily Word on a regular basis to provide her strength, comfort and reassurance.Dortha survived breast cancer twice and was burdened with chronic pain from osteo and rheumatoid arthritis. She received care in the Methodist Hospital Health system for years. She loved sharing stories with the staff about her time in training at Methodist Hospital. Dortha was revered by physicians she trained with, many of whom helped provide her care over the years. Dortha also stayed close with several of her nursing school classmates and was fortunate to share her 90th birthday celebration with Geraldine Degelia, her nursing school roommate.Dortha and her family are so grateful for the healthcare teams and caregivers that cared for her over the years. She was used to caring for others and found it hard to have to rely on others to take care of her.Dortha Juanelle Scates is preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Bruce R. Scates, Jr., her parents, three sisters, and 1 brother.Dortha will be laid to rest with her husband, Bruce at the Dallas-Forth Worth National Cemetery in a private ceremony.She will be deeply missed by her daughter, Penny Williams; son-in-law, Steve Williams; sister, Bertha Robison of Grapevine, TX; granddaughter, Gail Ann Williams-Kever and husband, many nieces, nephews and other loving family members and friends.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, at www.cancer.org to continue the fight against breast cancer or The Family’s Choice residential care homes to help continue feeding the birds and providing supportive services to the residents in their care. The Family’s Choice Residential Care Homes c/o Joy Mmbifwa 7048 Hillwood Ln. Dallas, Texas 75248 www.thefamilyschoice.com
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