Dorothy Hohmann

Dorothy J. Hohmann
03/28/1923 – 04/09/2023

Dorothy Jane Below Hohmann was born on March 28, 1923, in her parents’ home in Union County, KY, and died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Groves, TX, on Sunday, April 9, 2023.

Dot was the third child and second daughter in a family of 11 children. She graduated from Morganfield High School, Morganfield, KY, in May 1940, and attended Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green for a year. Afterward, she returned to Morganfield and worked in the PX at Army base Camp Breckinridge where she met Albert Hohmann, a Staff Sergeant from New York. After a six-month courtship, they were wed at the First Baptist Church of Morganfield on February 12, 1943. In the first few years of their marriage they lived in New York, Florida, Mississippi, and Kentucky, until moving to Groves in 1947 when Al went to work for Texaco Port Arthur. They made their home in Western Kentucky and Southeast Texas until finally settling in Groves in 1964. Over the course of their forty-three-year marriage, they raised seven children together until Al's passing on December 12, 1986. In 1947, Dot joined the Order of the Eastern Star, Groves Chapter #953. Dot remained actively involved in Eastern Star throughout her adult life. In 2021, she was given the honorary title of Grand Mom at the Texas Grand Chapter. In 2022, she was appointed as the Texas representative to the New Jersey Grand Chapter and was honored for being a 75-year member. Dot was also a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Groves. Over the course of her life, Dot had many adventures, including riding in a hot air balloon, traveling across the U.S. and to London, and sailing with Al on a tanker ship. For her 80th birthday, she was designated a Kentucky Colonel by the governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. But perhaps her greatest adventure was raising her children, frequently making the decisions of both parents when Al was at sea as a merchant marine. Dot had a green thumb, was a wonderful cook and baker, a master puzzle solver, a devoted mother and grandmother, and a faithful friend. To those who knew her, she was a force of nature. She was happiest when in the company of grand-, great-, and great-great- grandchildren. On March 25th, scores of families, friends, and neighbors joined Dot in celebrating her 100th birthday. She and the family appreciated all who attended the celebration and the many birthday greetings received from family and friends around the country. She will be greatly missed; she is greatly loved.

She is survived by her children Betsy Gardemal of Hemphill, TX; Andy Hohmann and wife Cathy of Buna, TX; Robbin Larson and husband Claude of Sausalito, CA; Rusty Hohmann of Georgetown, TX; Sarah Ritter and husband John of Silsbee, TX; Kathy Fowler and husband Faron of Pflugerville, TX; Jenny Harris of Taylor, TX; and Russell Harris of Buda, TX; and her siblings Helen Mills and husband Don of Lexington, KY; Virginia Below of Tucson, AZ; John Below and wife Sally of Temecula, CA; as well as eight grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. Dot is also survived by an abundance of nieces and nephews from many generations.

She is predeceased by her husband, Al Hohmann, son, Robert Hohmann, great-grandchildren Levi Ritter and Olivia Tabor, son-in-law John Gardemal of Hemphill, TX; parents Clayton and Willie Pride Below of Morganfield, KY; and her siblings, Charles Below and wife Lucille of Gainesville, FL; Eleanor Mitchell and husband Alton of Chalybeate, KY; Russell Below and wife Betty of Bowling Green, KY; Bill Below of Ocala, FL; Agnes Thompson and husband Bob of Bowling Green, KY; Judy Hannum and husband David of Putney, VT; and Elsie Below of Morganfield, KY.

The family was fortunate to have the loving assistance of Gentiva Hospice, especially Christie Jones and Sharon Lowery, who not only provided dignified care for Dot but comforted and guided the family through this difficult journey.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, April 14, at 10 a.m., followed by interment at Oak Bluff Memorial Park, Port Neches, TX. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a charity of your choice in memory of Dorothy.