Dorothy Mae McKever

Dorothy Mae McKever, 88 passed away Saturday, January 21, 2023. Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, January 28, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Carter Chapel. Interment will follow at the City of Lubbock Cemetery under the direction of Griffin Mortuary. Visitations will be held Friday, January 27, 2023, at Griffin Mortuary from 4 to 6 p.m. On November 26, 1934, Joe Gibson and Virginia “Jennie” Wilson were blessed with their first born, Dorothy, in Caldwell, TX.  She was the first of nine children and was nicknamed “Sister Baby”.  She had a Christian upbringing and accepted Christ at an early age.  She graduated high school from Lincoln High in 1954, where she was crowned “High School Sweetheart”.  She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education (1954) at Prairie View A&M University and was later awarded her Master’s Degree in Art (1960).  She had a hidden talent in floral design and worked to receive her certification as a Licensed Florist in Denver, CO (1981) and later in life received a certification in Early Childhood Development from Texas Tech University (1995), making the dean’s list, each semester.  Dorothy was the recipient of the “Woman of the Year Award, in both 1981 and 2007, presented to her by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Dorothy stepped into adulthood and moved to Lubbock with her favorite uncle, Lee Gibson, to pursue her career as an educator with the Levelland Independent School District.  In 1961, she married her high school sweetheart, Raymond McKever, Jr. and during that union they were blessed with two children, Raymond LaDarrell and DeAnnettia.  She taught at various schools for the Lubbock Independent School District, with most of her years as an Art teacher at Roscoe Wilson Elementary.  Everyone loved her creativity and quirky imagination.  She created everything from flowers and window art to a giant, life sized airplane made of paper. Some of Dorothy’s hobbies consisted of reading Jesus is Calling, sitting in her front yard, sharing God’s word, philanthropy, and shopping ‘til YOU dropped! Dorothy’s true passion was living and teaching God’s word.  She was a dedicated member of Carter Chapel C.M.E. church where she served as First Lady and Stewardess.  She loved her church and served within the C.M.E. connection for over 65 years.  She was the founder and sole operator of The Joy Bible Club, that started in 1978.  She taught children and teens in groups she called The Little Hearts, Bible Standers, Fishermen, and Disciples.  Picking up children from all over the neighborhood in the back of her green truck every Thursday evening, she introduced children to volunteering, praying, singing and most of all God. Anyone that ran across Dorothy was definitely in for a spiritual blessing. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers; Leon Sheppard and Nathaniel Reed, four sisters; Lucille Mooney, Bennie McGee, Rebecca Gray, and Doris Sharper. She leaves to cherish the memory of her life: two children, Raymond McKever III (Mia) of Amarillo and DeAnnettia McKever-Holt of Lubbock; five grandchildren, Jonathan Mitchell, Ladariene McKever, Roman Holt, Kortlin Holt, and Kristan “Princess” Holt; one God daughter, Percilla Howard and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.