TITLE: In memory of Joyce W. Dorrycott.

SUMMARY: In memory of Joyce W. Dorrycott.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, A life of dedicated civic engagement drew to a close with the passing of admired educator Joyce W. Dorrycott of San Antonio on November 25, 2023, at the age of 93; and WHEREAS, The daughter of Daisy and Edward Whigham, the former Joyce Whigham was born in Mobile, Alabama, on April 13, 1930; she married Jimmy Dorrycott at the age of 17 and lovingly raised five children; in her 40s, she graduated from Southwest Texas State University with highest honors and taught social studies for a semester at Lackland Junior/Senior High School; she served as a legislative aide while completing her master's degree in history and political science; after her first marriage ended, she was fortunate enough to find the love of her life, Donald Francis Green, whom she wed in 1980; and WHEREAS, Ms. Dorrycott taught political science at her alma mater, and in the 1980s, she was employed for a time by the Bexar County district attorney as director of special projects; she helped establish the family violence unit and advocated successfully for legislation to address child abuse and family violence; appointed to the Children's Trust Fund of Texas Council, she further served on a number of countywide commissions; she was recognized by such organizations as the Council on Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention, the Bexar County Coalition on Domestic Violence, and the Commission on Juvenile Justice, and in 1984, she was inducted into the San Antonio Women's Hall of Fame; she retired from teaching in 1994; and WHEREAS, During the 1980s, Ms. Dorrycott became increasingly involved in politics, serving as a campaign manager or political consultant for a number of winning races; she played a key role in the formation of the Northwest Democrats and served for a decade as its chair, and she trained organizers across the state; the Bexar County Democratic Party presented her with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001; in her free time, she enjoyed traveling, and she and her husband performed genealogical research across the country and in Europe; she led the formation of the Whigham Family Association, published its newsletter, and cowrote two books on the Whigham ancestry; Mr. Green passed away in 2008, and she was also preceded in death by her daughter Sylvia; and WHEREAS, Joyce Dorrycott earned the admiration of innumerable people through her tireless civic engagement, and her contributions will remain a source of inspiration to all who were privileged to know her; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th Legislature, 4th Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of Joyce W. Dorrycott and extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family: to her children, David, Nancy, Timothy, and James; to her stepdaughter, Donna Green; to her eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren; and to her many other relatives and friends; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for her family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Joyce Dorrycott. Men ndez Alvarado Hinojosa West Blanco Johnson Whitmire Eckhardt LaMantia Zaffirini Gutierrez Miles President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on December 5, 2023, by a rising vote.