Dorothey Jane Brian Criswell, 88, of Bay City passed away July 12, 2014. She was born August 16, 1925 in Winters, TX, south of Abilene, to the late Phillip Walter Brian and Clara Estelle Davis Brian.

Upon graduating High School, she attended North Texas State Teachers College in Denton, TX where she met Warren A. Criswell. Warren and Dorothey were married in Winters, Texas on June 6, 1945.

After 6 months in Oceanside California where Warren was stationed in the Marine Corps – the war ended and they returned to live in Robstown, TX. Several years passed. Dorothey completed her teaching degree at Texas A&I University and Warren decided to pursue veterinary medicine. They moved to College Station, Texas. While Warren studied at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Dorothey taught elementary school in the community. They started their family by adopting a daughter, Dorothey Ann.

In 1955, the family moved to Bay City where Warren started his veterinary practice and Dorothey taught school (first in the Bay City ISD and then later in the Van Vleck ISD).

She was preceded in death by her siblings Buford Garland Brian and Clara Nell Brian Lincoln. Survivors include her husband, Warren A. Criswell of Bay City; daughter Dorothey Ann Criswell of Richmond, TX; sons Robert Warren Criswell & wife Beth of Tarpon Springs, FL and Brian Lee Criswell & wife Renee of Kennewick, WA and granddaughter Briana Criswell of Kennewick, WA.

Dorothey taught elementary school Bay City ISD and many years in Van Vleck ISD and she encountered students and children of her students in the community on regular basis; taught remedial reading after school to local students; member of First Baptist Church (kept the Sunday Class attendance records); member of Beta Sigma Phi (many community projects – one of which was annual rodeo ticket sales); member of Flora Luncheon Study Club – entered flower arrangements during flower shows as well as individual specimens from her yard; docent at the Matagorda County Birding and Nature Center; enjoyed needlework creating many crewel projects for the family and as gifts; avid Bridge player – member of several clubs and substituted for others; Senior Member and past Chairman of the Bay City Festival Arts and Committee Member of Prep Bowl Scholarship Foundation.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 5pm until 7pm Wednesday at the funeral home. Funeral service will be 10:00 AM Thursday, July 17, 2014 at the First Baptist Church with Dr. Mike Zimmerman officiating. Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Thomas Battle, John Ashcraft, Tony Wells, Billie Mann, Herff Corneilus and Mack McLeod. Members of the local Bridge Clubs will serve as honorary pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her name to a charity of your choice.