Obituary of Dorothy Johnson Kinser

Dorothy Knox Johnson Kinser died peacefully on Tuesday, January 19 after a long struggle with Alzheimer's Disease. There will be a family service, but no public memorial at this time. Dorothy was born on January 12, 1928 in Texarkana, Texas, the only child of Junius Knox Johnson and Owen Lucille Conerly Johnson. Her father was an auditor for the state comptroller's office. She graduated from Texarkana High School in 1945, Texarkana Junior College in 1947, and Texas State College for Women (Texas Woman's University) with a bachelor's degree in English and a post-graduate degree in library science in 1949. She began her library career as a reference librarian at the University of Texas at Austin. She was a lifelong Presbyterian and met Floyd Kinser at University Presbyterian in Austin. They married in 1951 and were married for sixty-nine years. The couple began married life in Austin as Floyd enrolled at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and Dorothy continued her library work. They spent the next eighteen years of their lives in West Texas as Floyd served Presbyterian churches in Menard, Wichita Falls, Abilene, Nocona, Bowie, and St. Jo. During those years their sons Glen, Kevin, and Owen were born, and Dorothy presided over a busy household of Little Leaguers and Cub Scouts. She always helped Floyd with church life, especially by playing the piano for countless Sunday School classes and church services. Those years were filled with neighborhood and church friendships. In 1970 Floyd became an associate pastor at First Presbyterian in Fort Worth. Soon afterward Dorothy resumed her career as a school librarian. She worked at Diamond-Hill Jarvis High School, Logan Elementary and Sunrise Elementary in FWISD. She absolutely loved working with books, sharing them with children, and helping them discover the joys of reading. After a very brief retirement, Dorothy began volunteering in the libraries at Trinity Valley School, her grandchildren's school. She quickly became a valued employee and loved going to work at TVS until she retired again at the age of 80. In addition to being a librarian, Dorothy loved nothing better than being a grandmother. She showered her grandchildren with love, attention, and books. She and Floyd always took the kids to Boo at the Zoo, the rodeo, and many other fun outings. Treating the family to dinner on Thursday nights was a special tradition for everyone. Dorothy loved her pet dogs over the years, going shopping, to the movies, or traveling with her "boyfriend" Floyd, and drinking so much coffee. She and Floyd cherished their Westminster and Beacons friends at FPC. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, and by her beloved husband, Floyd, just six weeks ago. She is survived by her sons Glen, Kevin (Judith), and Owen, and grandchildren Shea (Austin Powell), Owen, Emma, and Azelie. Memorials: should you desire, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or First Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth.