Individual Details
Dorothy Jean Walston
(24 Jan 1931 - 26 Feb 2017)
Notes for DOROTHY JEAN WALSTON: Dorothy and Charles Alcorn are of the Presbyterian faith. All children and grandchildren are of the Presbyterian faith.
Dorothy Jean Walston Alcorn, higher education advocate and community leader, died at her home in Victoria on Sunday, February 26, 2017.
Mrs. Alcorn was born in Houston, Texas on January 24, 1931 to Virgil Alfred Walston and Dorothy Darden Walston.
She is predeceased by her husband of 45 years, Charles W. "Chuck" Alcorn, Jr., her brother, Virgil Walston and her parents.
Her father was a civil engineer with Humble Oil Company and Dorothy Jean and her younger brother and sister grew up in several oil-related locations including Willis, Texas; Midland, Texas and New Orleans, Louisiana. After graduating from Midland High School, Dorothy attended Baylor University and the University of Texas at Austin. She later attended the University of Houston where she received a BA in English/Education in 1952. She married Chuck later that year and moved to Abilene, Texas where Chuck was a geologist for Warren Petroleum and Dorothy taught third grade for three years for Abilene ISD. After two job-related moves to Midland and Andrews, Gulf Oil transferred Chuck and Dorothy to Victoria in 1961 where they happily resided for the rest of their lives.
After earning her MAIS degree in English Literature/Creative Writing in 1986 from the University of Houston-Victoria, Texas Governor William Clements appointed her a member of the University of Houston System Board of Regents, serving from from 1987-'93 (Secretary '88-'93). She was the first UHS Regent appointed from Victoria. While she was a Regent, she served as Chair of the Facilities and Planning Committee and supervised the renovation of the Wortham House, home of the Chancellor of the University of Houston. In 2015, Mrs. Alcorn gifted her home in the gated community of Hidden Meadows to the University of Houston-Victoria, where it will serve as the residence of the President of the University of Houston-Victoria.
Alcorn was a long-time member of the UHV President's Advisory Board and sat on three UHV President's Search Committees. She hosted the first UHV/ABR Reading Series reception for Graciela Limon in 2006 as well as UHV's 10th anniversary Margin for Excellence Campaign and numerous functions in support of UHV's higher education mission. Mrs. Alcorn received UHV's highest honor, the Presidential Medal, in 1994. Dorothy Alcorn Auditorium, home to the UHV/ABR Reading Series, was named in her honor in 1993.
In addition to her support of higher education in the Coastal Bend, Mrs. Alcorn served as President of the Victoria Junior League and was voted Sustainer of the Year. In 1994, she was voted South Texas Woman of the Year for her tireless efforts on behalf of the community including chairing the Victoria Courthouse Renovation Committee and the Proctor-O'Connor Building Renovation Committee as well as serving on the Victoria Performing Arts Steering Committee. She also served ably on the Victoria Airport Commission, the Brownson Home Board, Guadalupe Victoria Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Victoria Court of Six Flags, the Victoria Symphony, the board of DeTar Hospital and as an Elder of The Session at First Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Alcorn was a passionate life-long reader and a published short story writer. She greatly enjoyed art and music. She enjoyed gardening, photography, and was an enthusiastic breeder of Jack Russell terriers. Dorothy's greatest love was travel with family and friends to destinations far and wide.
There will be a visitation at Rosewood Funeral Chapel on Tuesday, February 28 from 5-7pm. Dorothy's funeral service will be held at First Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, March 1 at 11 am followed by burial at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Published by the Victoria Advocate, February 28, 2017
Dorothy Jean Walston Alcorn, higher education advocate and community leader, died at her home in Victoria on Sunday, February 26, 2017.
Mrs. Alcorn was born in Houston, Texas on January 24, 1931 to Virgil Alfred Walston and Dorothy Darden Walston.
She is predeceased by her husband of 45 years, Charles W. "Chuck" Alcorn, Jr., her brother, Virgil Walston and her parents.
Her father was a civil engineer with Humble Oil Company and Dorothy Jean and her younger brother and sister grew up in several oil-related locations including Willis, Texas; Midland, Texas and New Orleans, Louisiana. After graduating from Midland High School, Dorothy attended Baylor University and the University of Texas at Austin. She later attended the University of Houston where she received a BA in English/Education in 1952. She married Chuck later that year and moved to Abilene, Texas where Chuck was a geologist for Warren Petroleum and Dorothy taught third grade for three years for Abilene ISD. After two job-related moves to Midland and Andrews, Gulf Oil transferred Chuck and Dorothy to Victoria in 1961 where they happily resided for the rest of their lives.
After earning her MAIS degree in English Literature/Creative Writing in 1986 from the University of Houston-Victoria, Texas Governor William Clements appointed her a member of the University of Houston System Board of Regents, serving from from 1987-'93 (Secretary '88-'93). She was the first UHS Regent appointed from Victoria. While she was a Regent, she served as Chair of the Facilities and Planning Committee and supervised the renovation of the Wortham House, home of the Chancellor of the University of Houston. In 2015, Mrs. Alcorn gifted her home in the gated community of Hidden Meadows to the University of Houston-Victoria, where it will serve as the residence of the President of the University of Houston-Victoria.
Alcorn was a long-time member of the UHV President's Advisory Board and sat on three UHV President's Search Committees. She hosted the first UHV/ABR Reading Series reception for Graciela Limon in 2006 as well as UHV's 10th anniversary Margin for Excellence Campaign and numerous functions in support of UHV's higher education mission. Mrs. Alcorn received UHV's highest honor, the Presidential Medal, in 1994. Dorothy Alcorn Auditorium, home to the UHV/ABR Reading Series, was named in her honor in 1993.
In addition to her support of higher education in the Coastal Bend, Mrs. Alcorn served as President of the Victoria Junior League and was voted Sustainer of the Year. In 1994, she was voted South Texas Woman of the Year for her tireless efforts on behalf of the community including chairing the Victoria Courthouse Renovation Committee and the Proctor-O'Connor Building Renovation Committee as well as serving on the Victoria Performing Arts Steering Committee. She also served ably on the Victoria Airport Commission, the Brownson Home Board, Guadalupe Victoria Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Victoria Court of Six Flags, the Victoria Symphony, the board of DeTar Hospital and as an Elder of The Session at First Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Alcorn was a passionate life-long reader and a published short story writer. She greatly enjoyed art and music. She enjoyed gardening, photography, and was an enthusiastic breeder of Jack Russell terriers. Dorothy's greatest love was travel with family and friends to destinations far and wide.
There will be a visitation at Rosewood Funeral Chapel on Tuesday, February 28 from 5-7pm. Dorothy's funeral service will be held at First Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, March 1 at 11 am followed by burial at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Published by the Victoria Advocate, February 28, 2017
Events
| Birth | 24 Jan 1931 | Houston, Harris County, Texas | |||
| Marriage | 27 Sep 1952 | Houston, Harris County, Texas - Charles William "Chuck" Alcorn Jr. | |||
| Death | 26 Feb 2017 | Victoria, Victoria County, Texas | |||
| Burial | Memorial Park Cemetery, Victoria, Victoria County, Texas |  |
Families
| Spouse | Charles William "Chuck" Alcorn Jr. (1927 - 1998) |
| Father | Virgil Alfred Walston Sr. (1903 - 1983) |
| Mother | Dorothy Mae Darden (1905 - 1981) |
| Sibling | Virgil Alfred Walston Jr. (1934 - ) |
| Sibling | Living |
Endnotes
1. MEMORIAL ID 176763826.