On Saturday, February 7th, Delores went home to be with the Lord. Delores was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, John Errol McKeever and her half-sister, Mary Ellen.

Delores was born on January 1, 1934 in Kansas City, Missouri. She was born to Chester and Roxy Breeding of Kansas City. Delores’ mother passed away when she was 7 years old. After her passing, Delores and her sister, Phyllis Jean, moved to Chula Vista, California where they were adopted by their fraternal aunt and uncle, Dorothy and John Mathews.

In high school, Delores played the Hawaiian steel guitar, played in the school band, and was active in church. At 16 years old, Delores gave her life to Christ and was baptized at the same church where she met John Errol McKeever. She graduated from Chula Vista High School in 1952. A few months later, she married John who had enlisted in the Navy in 1951.

Within the next year, John was deployed for the Korean War and Delores, with their new baby boy, Tommy, moved to Beaumont, Texas. Delores and Tommy moved in with John’s parents while he was overseas.

While in Beaumont, John finished his service in the Navy and his bachelor's degree from Lamar. They remained active in their church, raised three children, Tommy, Debbie, and Kevin, and had Sunday meals with Mamaw, Pawpaw and all the cousins.

John received several promotions while working at Sunoco Oil and moved all over the country. From Beaumont to Houston to Dallas to Philadelphia, the McKeevers moved every few years. Eventually, they settled in Dallas until retirement. When John retired at 59 years old, they built their dream home in Holly Lake Ranch, Texas, where they lived for several years. They were active in Holly Brooke Baptist Church and enjoyed traveling all over the US with their friends. Delores could always be found playing a game with her friends, sewing a new quilt, stitching a beautiful pattern, or hosting her children and grandchildren. Her family continued to be the joy of her life.

In 2017, John and Delores moved to Red Oak, Texas to be closer to Debbie as their health declined. John later passed in 2019.

In 2020, Delores was the first resident to move into a new senior living community, Arabella. Delores said the halls were quiet but her community quickly grew over the next 6 years. She became the queen of card playing and crafts. Her days were filled with cards, games, crafts, and new close friends. Her days were so full, if you didn’t call her before 11am, she was unavailable until after dinner.

Over the years, Delores managed to make a quilt and diamond dot picture for every grandchild.

On Saturday, February 7th, Delores went to the arms of Jesus and was reunited with John. While in the hospital, she was always surrounded by her family who had the privilege of ushering Delores into her new heavenly home. Throughout her life, Delores demonstrated the importance of love, loyalty, and commitment, something her family could extend to her in her last days on earth. Delores was never alone.

Whether you know her as Delores, Mom, or Mamaw, we are all impacted by her hospitality, loyalty, love for the Lord, and never ending support. She lived a full life, never letting her difficulties and pain define her present or future. She will be truly missed and we will continue to honor her on earth as she enjoys the pain-free and perfect life she has waited for.

Delores leaves behind her three children and their spouses, Tommy and Toby McKeever; Debbie and David Dooley; Kevin and Lana McKeever; her 13 grandchildren and their families, and her 9 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers see the link below:

https://everloved.com/life-of/dorothy-mckeever/

Delores will be buried at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery Monday, February 23rd at 11:00am, reuniting her with her husband, John E. McKeever.