88S40825 BPG-D
By: Menéndez, et al. S.R. No. 85
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A life of dedicated civic engagement drew to a close
with the passing of admired educator Joyce W. Dorrycott of
San Antonio on November 25, 2023, at the age of 93; and
WHEREAS, The daughter of Daisy and Edward Whigham, the former
Joyce Whigham was born in Mobile, Alabama, on April 13, 1930; she
married Jimmy Dorrycott at the age of 17 and lovingly raised five
children; in her 40s, she graduated from Southwest Texas State
University with highest honors and taught social studies for a
semester at Lackland Junior/Senior High School; she served as a
legislative aide while completing her master's degree in history
and political science; after her first marriage ended, she was
fortunate enough to find the love of her life, Donald Francis Green,
whom she wed in 1980; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Dorrycott taught political science at her alma
mater, and in the 1980s, she was employed for a time by the Bexar
County district attorney as director of special projects; she
helped establish the family violence unit and advocated
successfully for legislation to address child abuse and family
violence; appointed to the Children's Trust Fund of Texas Council,
she further served on a number of countywide commissions; she was
recognized by such organizations as the Council on Child Abuse and
Neglect Prevention, the Bexar County Coalition on Domestic
Violence, and the Commission on Juvenile Justice, and in 1984, she
was inducted into the San Antonio Women's Hall of Fame; she retired
from teaching in 1994; and
WHEREAS, During the 1980s, Ms. Dorrycott became increasingly
involved in politics, serving as a campaign manager or political
consultant for a number of winning races; she played a key role in
the formation of the Northwest Democrats and served for a decade as
its chair, and she trained organizers across the state; the Bexar
County Democratic Party presented her with its Lifetime Achievement
Award in 2001; in her free time, she enjoyed traveling, and she and
her husband performed genealogical research across the country and
in Europe; she led the formation of the Whigham Family Association,
published its newsletter, and cowrote two books on the Whigham
ancestry; Mr. Green passed away in 2008, and she was also preceded
in death by her daughter Sylvia; and
WHEREAS, Joyce Dorrycott earned the admiration of
innumerable people through her tireless civic engagement, and her
contributions will remain a source of inspiration to all who were
privileged to know her; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature, 4th
Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of Joyce W. Dorrycott
and extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family: to her
children, David, Nancy, Timothy, and James; to her stepdaughter,
Donna Green; to her eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren,
and three great-great-grandchildren; and to her many other
relatives and friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for her family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this
day, it do so in memory of Joyce Dorrycott.