Services for Dorothy Marie Steele, 103, of Livingston, Texas will be held Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 11:00 a.m., at First Baptist Church in Livingston, Texas with Bro. Brad Butler officiating. Interment will be held the day of service at 2:30 p.m. at Harden Chapel Cemetery in Hardin, Texas. Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m., prior to service at the First Baptist Church in Livingston, Texas.

Dorothy was born January 30, 1920 in Parkville, Missouri and passed away January 13, 2024. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ora Raymond Brown and Edna (Hughes) Brown; son, Richard Steele; and husband, Richard J. Steele.

She married Richard September 2, 1941.

Dorothy lived to be a beautiful 103 years old and experienced some very memorable events. Like many people, being born in the 1920's, she grew up without running water or electricity. As a little girl she would deliver the mail with her father on a horse drawn wagon in Parkville, MO. She lived through the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl and World War 2.

From a young age, even until her centennial years Dorothy was an avid reader and health enthusiast. Dorothy was a visionary when it came to exercise and opened a women's health gym in 1959, in Temple, Texas. She most enjoyed reading about religion, politics and history. At one time, she even reached her goal of reading a hundred books in one year.

The common thread in her legacy was her strong Christian faith and love for others.

First and foremost, Dorothy loved God and served as a Sunday School teacher for over 70 years, leading countless people to Christ. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Livingston. Throughout her life, she was involved in numerous organizations such as the Christian Coalition and Texan Christian Writers. Later, she felt a calling to the prison ministry and completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Counseling from Therapon University. She carried on ministering to the ladies of Polk County for over 20 years and took great joy from helping these incarcerated women. Not only did she participate in Angel Tree, but "God's Children "as well. She, along with others would raise money, shop, wrap and then deliver both presents and coats to children whose mothers were in jail.

If you asked Dorothy what her favorite verse was, she would turn the question around and ask you. Then she would use your favorite verse as her favorite verse, because in truth most of them were her favorites!

Heaven will be a brighter place with Dorothy walking the streets of Gold. Knowing that she is waiting for all who have received Christ, will bring Dorothy much joy!

She is survived by her sons, Mark Steele and wife Virginia of Houston, Texas Rick Steele and wife Peggy of Olathe, Kansas; daughter-in-law, Maribel Steele of Livingston, Texas; grandchildren, Tiffany Brown and husband Jess of Fresno, Texas, Joshua Steele and wife Kali of Colorado Springs, Texas, Sarah Steele of Houston, Texas, and Zachary Steele of Houston, Texas, Mark Steele and wife Emily of Japan, Stephanie Steele and husband Brodie of Onalaska, Texas, Noah Steele of Olathe, Kansas, Taylor Steele of Olathe, Kansas, Chris Steele and wife Tammy of Ft Worth, Texas, Angie Steele of North Richland Hills, Texas and Tammy Steele of Ft Worth, Texas; as well as numerous great grandchildren, other relatives and friends.