Dorris Yates Tull

Having enjoyed a long, meaningful life, Dorris Yates Tull died September 3, 2008. She was born in Barstow, Texas on May 14, 1911. In about 1920, her parents arranged for her to move to Abilene to live with her sister, Ruth Mullins. The move was necessary to ease the travel from West Texas to Abilene for orthodontic visits, but the best outcome was the strong bond that Ruth and Dorris enjoyed throughout their lives. Her education began in Barstow, where her mother taught all grades in a one-room school, and then Dorris continued her education in Abilene, where she graduated from Abilene High School in 1929 and from Abilene Christian College four years later as a teacher and librarian. She taught school in El Paso and Albany before marrying Dr. R.H. Tull, Sr. in 1936 and becoming stepmother to R.H. Tull, Jr. and Ruth Tull. Two more children became a part of the family. In 1941, William Yates was born and Marilyn followed in 1945. Later in life Dorris became the cherished grandmother and hero to her four grandchildren, Jennifer Zach, Tonya and Arthur. After Dr. Tull's death in 1982, Dorris earned her master's degree at Hardin Simmons University in English and focused on her love of Texas history and storytelling. At that time, she was the oldest person to receive an earned degree from HSU. She subsequently taught in the writing lab at HSU and taught English as a second language. After a storytelling class taught by Dr. Rosanna Herndon, Dorris continued to delight audiences of all ages with her stories of her family's experiences in the old West. These stories are documented in her book, The Saga of a West Texas Family. Her gentle spirit and guiding hand will be greatly missed, but her contagious, strong spirit will remain with the many who love this strong West Texas woman. Dorris was preceded in death by her parents, William and Mamie Yates, her husband, Dr. Raymond H. Tull, Sr. one son, Bill Tull, one granddaughter, Tonya Rodgers, and two sisters, Louise Black and Ruth Mullins Cox. She is survived by one daughter, Marilyn Chalmers and her husband Dr. John Chalmers, of Abilene; one step-son, Dr. R.H. Tull, Jr., of Abilene; one step-daughter Ruth Rodgers, of Abilene; three grandchildren, Art Tull, of Abilene, Jennifer Chalmers, of Pflugerville, Texas and Zachary Chalmers, of Roanoke, Texas; as well as one nephew, Gordon Black and his wife Dottie, of El Paso. Burial will be private. A celebration of her life will follow at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. The family extends special thanks to Dr. David Randell and to Coronado Wellness Center for skillfully and compassionately caring for her. In lieu, of flowers, the family requests donations are made to the American Diabetic Association.