In Memory

Dottie Gebler (McArthur) - Class Of 1967

Dottie Gebler (McArthur)

Dottie walked with joy, class and dignity even to the very end of her physical life. She was diagnosed with terminal cancer in December 2021 and breathed her last on January 11, 2022 in the hands of her loving daughter in-law Kymberly McArthur. She had a fruitful life in Jesus Christ and those who knew her have been given the parting gift of experiencing her love, joy, faith… and those who share that faith can realize this gift—the assurance and peace that comes from knowing she lived her life fully according to faith and hope in the God of creation.

She was preceded in death by her father Kenneth Gebler, mother Bertha Gebler, husband Stephen McArthur, daughter Stephanie (McArthur) Schmoyer. She is survived by her sister Brenda Gebler of Williams, AZ, brother Douglas Taylor-Gebler, sister-in-law Meghan Taylor-Gebler of Prescott, AZ, son Thomas McArthur, daughter-in-law Kymberly McArthur of Paris, TX and grandchildren Dietrich, Heinrich, Erich and Ambria. She impacted many lives and will be missed by many other family members and friends that she loved dearly. Life was a dance for Dottie and she didn’t miss a single beat, even laughing and dancing as able in her last days. Given the choice, she would dance every time.

She was born April 21, 1949 in Indianapolis, IN. She graduated Alhambra High School in Phoenix, AZ and met her husband Stephen at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Education. In her younger years she worked as a teacher and then returned to raise her children born in Spur (Lubbock), TX at home. The family moved briefly from Spur, TX to Tucson, AZ and then again to Stephenville, TX and for 24 years to Bullhead City, AZ where her children finished most of their school.

She served as the PTA President at Desert Valley Elementary in Bullhead City, AZ during that time and began volunteering in education again shortly after at Coyote Canyon Elementary School in the same city. She was awarded the prestigious honor of Arizona Volunteer of the Year and impacted many children and young teachers as they began their careers in education. She was widowed in 2008 and remained unmarried. She eventually moved back to Texas when her son Thomas and his wife Kymberly and their children relocated to Sulphur Springs.

She was a talented artist that enjoyed oil painting and loved to dance. She was especially active in her later years at her home church at First United Methodist Church of Sulphur Springs where she sang in the choir and served in the Dinner Bell ministry that serves the community through love and provision of food to the hungry, serving over 20,000 meals since 2012.

She had the opportunity to go on multiple missionary trips to Alaska and to travel abroad, greatly enjoying her trips to Europe. She was a servant of the living God! She wanted her loved ones left behind to not be sad about her passing, but to celebrate. She was an inspiration to many and will be missed. Memory eternal.

Memorial services will be held at the First United Methodist Church at 301 Church St, Sulphur Springs, TX on January 29th at 11:00am Central with a reception to follow. All are welcome. The church will be streaming the service on their website at ssfumc.org for those who cannot attend physically.