Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Teacher, and Mentor, Mary Lynne Dozier, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones, on December 22nd, 2019.  Lynne was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and motivational English teacher who inspired and changed the lives of those who respectfully knew her as "Dozier."

Born on December 8th, 1942 in St. Louis, Missouri,  Lynne's family moved to Hayti, Missouri with her father's job at Phillips 66, where she graduated high school. In the tiny house, she also learned how to be an incredible cook from her mother Beryl Drew and developed a love for reading and writing from her father, Dan Drew.  Through this life-long passion, she developed an enduring love for Southeast Missouri State (SEMO) and in 1964 earned a Bachelor's Degree with Majors in English, Art and Psychology.  In this same year, she married the love of her life and best friend, Don Dozier.  Don and Lynne moved to St. Louis for their first of many years with Shell Oil, where their four children were born.

Donna, Ken, Julie, and Scott were taught by Lynne, how to swim, cook, play tennis, and to love. Most importantly, Don and Lynne's love for one another and their family showed each how to raise and unconditionally love children of their own. With their steadfast commitment as grandparents, Don and Lynne attended as many swim meets, dance and cheer, soccer, football, golf, graduation, barrel races, and music concerts for all the grandchildren. Loved by their grandmother, they spoke daily as evidenced by her lengthy text messages, poems, social media comments, and their reliance on grandma's guidance for essay feedback.

Lynne and Don traveled the world together and logged incalculable hours circling the world.  They celebrated their 75th birthdays with the trip of a lifetime with the entire family in the summer of 2018 to the Alaskan coastline.  Just in love as the day they met, they enjoyed traveling, laying on the deck of the finest cruise ships, being with their grandchildren, discussing politics, drinking fine wine with good friends, and worshipping alongside life long friends at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church.

Lynne shared her greatest gift, her love of teaching and how to write. Two cities were blessed to have Lynne as an educator.  After a few fun and eventful years in New Orleans including her time when she broke the picket line at Karr Jr. High in order to serve those in most need, Lynne and Don moved to Houston, Tx.

At her beloved Klein Forest High School in room 116, she created a safe place for her students to think, grow, listen, and look beyond themselves to discover their passions, gifts and uniqueness. She took great pride in following their lives, successes and always reached out to former students for a visit when traveling. The doorbell often rung with kids stopping by to say hi and to show off their own families. There are books scattered across shelves with poetic inscriptions in her unique handwriting and crafted with authentic love, encouragement, and a sense of humor.

Lynne taught English Language Arts, Advanced Placement Language & Composition, Creative & Practical Writing and led the gifted staff of the award-winning, literary magazine Aquilae Stylus. With four teenagers,  Lynne found time to earn a Master's Degree in Literacy Education at the University of Houston and served as ELA Department Chair for thirteen years. During the last five years of her teaching career, she coordinated grants, community relations, and advanced placement programs. Upon retirement, Lynne never quit and directed her time and focus towards her love and passion for Klein I.S.D and worked tirelessly to fund teacher projects through her role on the Board of Directors on the Klein Education Foundation.  Her love for Jesus Christ and compassion for children called her to bring  Kid's Hope to St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church to provide mentorship, love, and hope to the kids of Eiland Elementary.

Throughout her life as a mother/educator/teacher/writer/researcher, she received several awards: Mother of the Year (1976); Klein ISD 75th Anniversary "Diamond" Award (2013);  AAUW (American Association of University Women) Outstanding Woman—Education Honoree (2012); Bob Costas/College Board Grant for Excellence in Teaching Writing (2010); Klein ISD Superintendent's Initiative Award (2010); Susan O'Connor Teaching Excellence Award (2008); The Scholastic Art & Writing Award (1998, 2004, and 2007); KISD and Region IV State "Teacher of the Year" (1994-95); Excellence in Education, University of Texas (1991-92, 1993-94, 1995-96); "Who's Who in American Education" (1994-2011).

Her publications included: The Writer's Voice: 18 Lesson to Improve Writing, 2013;"Teacher to Teacher: One True Sentence." The Elements of Literature: Annotated Teacher's Edition , Holt, Rinehart & Winston. (2009); "The 3 P's: Prose, Poetry, and Profits," English Journa l, November 1995; "Oh, Teacher, My Teacher: Creating Live Poets' Society," Poet magazine ,1995; "Dances With Wolves: Lessons from Loo Ten Tant's Journal," English Journal , January 1994; "Hayti, Missouri—1959." Getting the Knack: 20 Poetry Writing Exercises, edited by William Stafford and Stephen Dunning, 1992; "Teaching Johnny to Spell," English in Texas, Summer, 1990.

Lynne is survived by Don Dozier, husband of 56 years and the love of her life, their children and spouses: Donna and Mark Emery, Ken Dozier, Julie and Dennis Morant, Scott and Tina Dozier, and 8 grandchildren who knew her love each and every day: Megan Morant, Elizabeth Emery, Caitlin Dozier, Matthew Emery, Garrett Dozier, Alison Dozier, Ryan Morant, Jennifer Dozier, Brady Tumlinson, and the "draft picks" plus her loyal companions, Penny and Drake; and brothers, Tommy and Roy Drew and their families.

She was predeceased by parents Daniel and Beryl Drew and James and Mildred Dozier and nephew Ryan Drew.

The Dozier family would like to continue her legacy through her two great passions- the work of the Klein Education Foundation and  Kids Hope, USA at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church.

To donate in her honor, please select Klein Education Foundation or Kid's Hope: Lynne Dozier's Memorial Fund and designate Lynne Dozier in the notes.