SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 85
In Memory
of
Joyce Dorrycott
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 State of Texas, 88th
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.
Menéndez
Alvarado Hinojosa West Alvarado Hinojosa West
Alvarado Hinojosa West
Blanco Johnson Whitmire Blanco Johnson Whitmire
Blanco Johnson Whitmire
Eckhardt LaMantia Zaffirini Eckhardt LaMantia Zaffirini
Eckhardt LaMantia Zaffirini
Gutierrez Miles Gutierrez Miles
Gutierrez Miles
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on December 5, 2023, by
a rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate
Alvarado Hinojosa West
Blanco Johnson Whitmire
Eckhardt LaMantia Zaffirini
Gutierrez Miles