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GEIWITZ In response to her last words, God took Doris Ann Geiwitz home to heaven on Friday morning, April 21, 2017. Succumbing to the long-term struggle of emphysema, Doris passed away two days after her 82nd birthday at her home in Spring Branch, Texas. Born April 19, 1935, in Whitesboro, Texas, Doris Ann felt her greatest accomplishment was the raising of her children and the successes they and her husband achieved. Most of her work history was in food service: an early job in a hometown diner is where she met her husband-to-be, Ralph H. Geiwitz, and her last job preceding retirement was with Luby’s Cafeterias. But what she enjoyed most was being a “mom” to neighborhood kids while her daughter and son were growing up and later to being a grandmother and “Nana” to so many more than just her true grandchildren. Long term friends will recall Doris’ efforts in volunteer activities such as athletic and band boosters for Marion ISD, leading the effort to start a girl scout program in Marion, managing the Miss Marion Pageant, and working alongside her husband to manage Lutheran Camp Chrysalis in Kerrville. Serving as a volunteer and leader in the local PTA, Doris was selected the Parent of the Year in 1976 and awarded with a lifetime membership by the National Parent Teacher Association. She also served on Marion’s Heimfest Committee, was active in the Volunteer Fire Department auxiliaries in New Berlin and Marion communities, and volunteered with vacation bible school and other church events in the Marion and Hill Country communities. At the age of 20, Doris married Ralph Henry Geiwitz on August 4, 1955, and later had two children, Geri (1959) and Kurt (1962). In her early years, she was raised in the Church of Christ and the Southern Baptist Church. She joined the Presbyterian Church following her marriage to Ralph and later studied and went through adult confirmation in the Lutheran Church. Confirmed November 12, 1972, Doris and Ralph became members of St. John Lutheran Church, Marion, Texas and later moved their membership to St. John Lutheran Church in Boerne for the years they lived, worked and retired in the Texas Hill Country. In more recent years in her local area, Doris regularly visited Hill Country Christian Church with her son and his family and as her health would permit during the last couple of years, visited Tejas Cowboy Church with her daughter, son and family. Doris and Ralph rededicated their marriage on August 3, 1985. Doris is survived by her daughter Geri B. Ray, son Kurt A. and daughter-in-law Rhonda Sue Geiwitz, all of Spring Branch. Through Kurt and Rhonda she has three granddaughters, Caitlin Marie Geiwitz with James Thomas in San Antonio, Lindsay Rose Loredo and husband Andres Chino Loredo in Porter, and Rebecca Ann Geiwitz in Kyle. Through her daughter Geri and late husband, Doris has grand-stepchildren Matt and Joy Smoot of Dallas, Jeffery and Monica Smoot of Austin, and Brian Smoot of Plano. Great-grandchildren include Breanna Hamilton, Elias Smoot and Annette Loredo. Doris is also survived by her niece Marsha L. Griggs of Era and Johnny L. Reed of Denison, Bert and Nancy Entwistle of Colorado Springs, CO, Bill Entwistle of Urbana, IL, Tom Sawyer of Rochester, MN, great nieces and nephews, and “unofficially adopted” grandsons. She is preceded in death by her husband, Ralph, her sister Patsy Hardin, her parents Luke and Minnie Breeden, and in-laws Archie and Elizabeth Geiwitz as well as other family and marital relations. A visitation will be held Thursday, May 4th between 6:00 and 8:00 PM at Mission Park Stone Oak on U.S. Hwy 281 North in San Antonio. Lead by Pastor Steve Coker of Tejas Cowboy Church, a graveside service will be held at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery Friday, May 5th beginning at 9:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations made in Doris’ memory to organizations providing support such as homes, equipment, pets, services or memorials to veterans/servicemen and women will be appreciated. Acknowledgements may be sent to the Family of Doris Geiwitz at 906 Deep Water Dr., Spring Branch, TX 78070.

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Doris Ann Geiwitz

April 19, 1935 - April 21, 2017