Tributes

Heaven received another amazing servant as Dorothy Mae Alves went to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 13th, 2022, at the age of 83. She was an amazingly strong woman who had battled through recent health challenges but never lost the smile on her sweet face or the laughter in her heart of gold. Dorothy Mae Alves was born in Beeville, Texas to Leslie Orville Schrock and Edna Irene Shipman Schrock on December 1, 1938. She attended Harlandale High School, where she graduated in 1957. She loved literature and was an avid reader. In pursuit of this passion, she briefly attended Bee County College during the summer of 1957, studying journalism. But one evening during that summer, she met Ben Alves (Ben-O) on a blind date and found her lifelong love. She and Ben-O were inseparable during their 64 years together. They shared a common love of family and soon started their own with Leslie Virginia coming in 1959, followed by Nancie Irene in 1961 and then Benjamin Alfred in 1963. This shared love of family drove both of them to raise their children in a manner that developed a strong work ethic, high strength of character, unwavering Christian morals, and an innate love of family. She ensured that her family was always first and never wavered in making sure her husband and each child knew they were loved and supported in every way. Dorothy was also an amazing pianist, learning how to play “by ear” after a few lessons when she was a child. She would often be asked to play at the numerous parties and events that she and Ben-O hosted over the many years. She was always very proud of the requests to have her play at the VFW Hall for events to raise funds for Veterans in need. She never denied a request to play and always made every event into a party or celebration that set new records for fundraising. And did Dorothy and Ben-O certainly know how to host parties – they were amazing. Always ensuring that everyone was invited and that all had a great time was the norm. She truly never met a stranger and quickly included newfound friends as an extension of her own family. Dorothy’s motto was – the good news is you are now part of the Alves Family; the better news is that it lasts forever. She was an amazing mother to Leslie, Nancie and Benjie in every way imaginable. But one of the most treasured gifts she brought to them was “a lifelong love of music”. She loved all types of music from all generations and believed it was empowering to fill their home with music every day. This love of music dominated every family visit or interaction her entire life. To this day, it continues to be a precious part of her children’s daily lives. Dorothy and Ben-O had an amazing love story that played out in front of the entire world every day. Everyone wanted to be like them, or at least be around them. She and Ben-O had an amazing way of making you feel loved and special every time you met. Dorothy also had another thing in common with Ben-O – their amazing generosity. They helped everyone they met, either with direct financial assistance or through their selfless efforts to help teach them ways to make better decisions in life. There is certainly a long line of individuals and families that have experienced the positive “Dorothy” effect over the years. There is a famous quote by Rudyard Kipling, “God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made Mothers.” Sounds like he had Dorothy in mind, doesn’t it...!! Dorothy is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Benjamin A. Alves, Jr. (Ben-O), father, Leslie Orville Schrock, her mother, Edna Irene Shipman Schrock. She is survived by her daughter Leslie Virginia Keen and husband Chris, her daughter Nancie Irene Falgout and husband Charles, and her son, Benjamin Alfred Alves III and wife Leah. She was also the proud grandmother of granddaughter Kodi Marie Hawkins and husband Austin, granddaughter Lindsay Brooke Buckman and husband Jon, grandson Austin Benjamin Alves, grandson Brenden William Alves, and grandson Alec Charles Falgout. She was also the proud great-grandmother of George Austin Hawkins, Liam Michael Hawkins and Amelia Brooke Buckman. Visitation will begin on Sunday, March 20, 2022, from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Mission Park Funeral Chapels South in San Antonio. Funeral service will be held on Monday, March 21, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. at the funeral chapel. Interment will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery where she will be laid to rest with Ben-O. For personal acknowledgement, you may sign the online guestbook at www.missionparks.com in the obituary section.

Tributes

Dorothy Mae Alves

December 1, 1938 - February 13, 2022