Dorothy Gladys Bragg

Dorothy Gladys Bragg

Former Montrose Teacher

Nov. 22, 1907 — Sept. 16, 2007

BAKER CITY, Ore. — Dorothy Gladys Bragg, 99, of Baker City, Ore. passed away Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007 at Meadowbrook Place. At her request there will be no services.

Dorothy was born Nov. 22, 1907 in Olathe, Colo. to Martha (Mattie) Gaines and Charles W. Bragg. She was the oldest of three children. Her father died when she was 9 years old. She graduated from Olathe High School in 1926.  She began her teaching career within the year, teaching at a small mining town in Colorado. She continued her education at Western State in Gunnison, Colo., College of Idaho in Caldwell, Idaho, and Idaho State, finally receiving her BS from the University of Corpus Christi in Corpus Christi, Texas in 1949. Dorothy never married, but was loved by her many students in Montrose, Colo. Upon retirement, Dorothy moved to Corpus Christi, Texas where she cared for her mother until her death at 98 years of age. While there, she taught English as a second language and proctored exams.

Dorothy played piano and organ, often playing for her church in Montrose and sometimes playing for silent movies.  She led Sunday school classes and was the chair of the Mission Committee. She was also active in her church in Corpus Christi, Texas. She enjoyed sewing and loved clothes. Looking good was important to her. She enjoyed travel and loved her one trip to Europe. Family was important, and she visited with them at least once every year.

Everyone who knew her loved her sense of humor. She was a genuinely funny person, not only verbally but physically. She had wonderful sayings and just when you thought she didn’t hear you, she would come out with a zinger. She would have been 100 years old on Thanksgiving this November but said, “if you count the gestation period, I’m already 100.”  She was gracious and kind. You know she lived through some rough times but she didn’t talk about them much, never complaining, but living her life out of gratitude. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Mildred Simpson; a brother, Gail Bragg; and a nephew, Dr. Charles (Chuck) Simpson.

Survivors include a niece, Judy Crooks of Burke, Va. and niece-in-law, Jean Simpson of Baker City ,Ore. as well as great-nieces and -nephews.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Meadowbrook Place or Pathway Hospice in care of Gray’s West & Co., Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Place Street, Baker City, OR 97814.