Barbara Dennis

Barbara Nell Cryer Dennis, native Nueces County resident, passed away July 16, 2014 at the age of 96 in Robstown, Texas. She is survived by her son, Dan Orville Dennis and wife Kay of Corpus Christi; daughter Ann Dennis Dykes and husband Osborne Jefferson Dykes III of Denver; grandchildren, Salli Dennis, Rebecca Dennis Dunn and husband Scott Dunn, Dan Dennis, Jeff Dykes and Barbara Dykes Conviser and husband Josh Conviser; great-grandchildren Sophia Conviser, Sarah Conviser and Brody Dunn; sister-in-law, Gene Dennis Stone of Austin; and former daughter-in-law, Becky Storm Dennis. She was preceded in death by her husband, Orville Erma Dennis, in 2000; her parents Beatrice Brown Cryer and Dan Chester Cryer; her brother Lt. Dan Chester Cryer, Jr. and her sisters, Maude Evelyn Cryer and Beatrice Cryer Moon. Mrs. Dennis was born September 5, 1917 on the family farm south of Clarkwood, Texas. She attended elementary school in Clarkwood, graduated from Robstown High School in 1934, and graduated from Texas A&I College in 1939. From 1939 to 1943 she was Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Nueces County during the period when all 22 schools in Nueces County were administered under a countywide superintendent's office. In 1943 she married Orville Dennis, also a Nueces County native, while he was serving in the United States Army. When her husband was assigned to Camp Maxey in Paris, Texas during World War II she worked at the Camp, which was a training facility for troops going to Europe and also a detention center for German prisoners of war. After the War she and her husband bought a farm north of Robstown, which was the family home from 1947 to 2010. Mrs. Dennis and her husband were life-long members of the First Methodist Church in Robstown and served the church in many roles over the years, including teaching Sunday School, assisting with the youth group, and serving on numerous boards and committees. She was active in the WSCS women's circle for over 60 years, and presented her last devotional program to the group when she was almost 90 years old. In 2003 she was honored to receive the Christian Discipleship award from the Corpus Christi District of The United Methodist Church. Growing up on the family farm during the Great Depression taught her that people can survive and overcome most of the hardships in life through hard work, resourceful self-reliance, a strong network of family and friends, and an abiding faith in God. Some of her fondest childhood memories included riding to the cotton fields on horseback with her father and times spent with her large extended family, particularly during summers along the Texas coast. During elementary school years she and her sisters frequently rode horseback to school in Clarkwood. She was a good bridge player for almost 50 years, and during the 1970's and 80's she enjoyed many antiquing trips with friends. Her grandchildren were one of the great delights of her life and she and her husband were able to spend quality time with each of them, especially during their early childhood years. She was a woman of intelligence, wisdom and love who lived her life with quiet dignity and grace. Her family, friends and her church were the focus of her life, and she will always be remembered with love and admiration. During her last 12 years at home she was especially thankful for the friendship and companionship of Mrs. Lorene Harmon. The family is grateful to Mrs. Harmon for her loving, watchful care and for the joy she brought to Mrs. Dennis' life. During the last few years of her life she was lovingly and skillfully cared for by longtime family friend Lilly Flores and her staff at Lilly's Home in Robstown, especially Diana Moreno and the family is deeply grateful to them for allowing her last days to be lived in dignity and comfort. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, July 18, 2014 at Sawyer-George Funeral Home with Pastor Michelle Lott officiating. Pallbearers will be Dan Orville Dennis, Dan Storm Dennis, Osborne J. Dykes III, Osborne J. Dykes IV, and Scott Dunn. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, Calallen, Texas, or a charity of choice.