Dorothy E. Hebbert (Bolivar)'s Obituary
Dorothy Ellen Hebbert, 89, of Bolivar, died Wednesday August 3, 2011, at Citizen’s Memorial Health Care Center, Bolivar.
She was born August 7, 1921, in Halfway, MO, the daughter of Marvin and Lizzie Ragsdale. She married Paul Hebbert April 7, 1944 and from that union two children were born.
Dorothy was a graduate of Bolivar High School, earned an Associate of Art Education from Southwest Baptist College, and a Bachelors in Art Education from Southwest Missouri State University.
She began her career as a school teacher in rural schools around the Bolivar area for three years, and taught at Bolivar Elementary for seven years. After having children, she became employed by the Bolivar R1 school district as an art supervisor for elementary and high school art for 42 years. She also served as an adjunct art teacher for Southwest Baptist College’s high school art education classes.
As an active member of the Southwest Missouri Art Teacher’s Association, Dorothy served in all offices including appointment as President in 1968. She organized the Bolivar High School Art Club and took students to district meetings, always proud of their many awards. She also organized the District High School Art Association and their traveling art exhibit.
She was a long-time member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International for women educators and a charter member of the Alpha Tau Chapter. Dorothy was a prolific impressionistic artist, using oil, acrylic, and watercolor mediums. She loved to travel and study in foreign countries where she would study at various museums and cathedrals to further her education, artwork, and experiences for her students. For over 30 years, she was a Southwest Missouri Museum Associate participant, having had her artwork displayed in the sales and rental gallery. She was also an avid antique doll collector and active member of the Bolivar Doll Club with an extensive collection of dolls from two centuries.
Since the age of 12, Dorothy was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bolivar, MO, and served as both a private kindergarten instructor and Bible school instructor. At the time of her death she was the longest-standing member of First Baptist. Her personal walk with Christ was of greatest importance in her life thanks to the religious heritage of her dedicated parents, who were also active members of First Baptist Church.
Preceding her in death were her parents and her two sisters, Opal Yeargin and Charlene Curl.
She is survived by her husband, Paul Hebbert; her daughter, Nancy Jester of Springfield, Mo; her son, Steve Hebbert and his wife, Sherry Hebbert of Ozark, Mo.; five grandchildren, Jennifer Jester of Lancaster, Pa., Cristen Jester of Springfield, Mo., Lara Garrett and husband Josh Garrett of Topeka, Ks., Brooke Hebbert of Springfield, Mo.; Brandon Hebbert of Springfield, Mo.; and one great-grandchild Ben Garrett of Topeka, Ks.
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