Dorothea Ferrante passed away in Mesquite, Texas, on Feb. 5, 2021, at the age of 99 from complications of COVID-19. She was born in Owensboro, Ky., on May 31, 1921, to Ruth Knight Norris and Elmer Norris.

She married Joe Ferrante in 1942, and they lived in Ohio and Indiana before moving to Fort Stockton, Texas, in 1962. She was the beloved mother of four children, Stephanie, Joe, Patti, and John; grandmother of 10; and great grandmother of two. While in Fort Stockton, she attended St. Agnes Catholic Church. After 53 years in Fort Stockton, she moved to Mesquite to be near family.

She worked as a service representative for Southwestern Bell until retirement. She then had a second career writing for the Fort Stockton Pioneer. Among her activities in Fort Stockton were participation in Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, the Eagles Auxiliary, the Hospital Auxiliary, Garden Club, and Study Club.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Ferrante. Left to mourn are Stephanie Wiley of Mesquite; Joe and Ann Ferrante of Aptos, Calif.; Patti and Ron Bettis of Mesquite; John and Rene Ferrante of Skiatook, Okla.; grandchildren Robert Wiley of Dallas, Texas, Rick and Stephanie Johnson of Scotts Valley, Calif., Matt and Emily Ferrante of Pasadena, Calif., Jason Ferrante of Pasadena, Marissa Ferrante of Los Altos, Calif., Keight and Braley Raborn of Minden, La., Alex Ferrante of Philadelphia, Pa., Avery Ferrante of Dallas, and Jack Ferrante of Skiatook, Okla.; and great grandchildren Liam and Katherine Johnson of Scotts Valley.

Memorials may be made to the Fort Stockton Public Library.

Graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, May 31, 2021, at East Hill Cemetery in Fort Stockton.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at heritagefuneralhomeofthebigbend.com.