Proverbs 31:10 – “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.”

Dolores Marie Crosby Vines passed away quietly on Friday, May 19, 2023 at the home of her daughter in Kerrville, Texas after a short battle with an aggressive cancer.

Dolores was a Louisiana girl through and through. She was born in Leesville, La., on Nov. 3, 1933 to Verbie and Harvey Crosby. She was the captain on the Westlake High School basketball team and Homecoming queen. She was crazy in love with Donald Hoyt Vines and the high school sweethearts married soon after high school. She was the ideal military wife as her husband completed medical school and then served as a surgeon for the US Army for many years including Vietnam.

They were blessed with four children during this time. She loved her family and especially her Dad — who taught her about Jesus, how to ride Old Paddle, and how to do everything to your best. She grew up in the Great Depression and she knew how to pinch a penny. But when it came to her family, she would spare no cost to see that each one got what they needed. It wasn’t the lack of money but the abundance of love that she brought to her children! She was the light that sparked in the Vines’ home.

With four children under tow, she brought her children through Vietnam without a Dad’s physical presence in the home. They listened as she played on the piano “Onward Christian Soldiers” and kept them in line. She was their cheerleader and best friend.

She was the backbone of the family and had a strong relationship with her Savior Jesus Christ and was a member of Trinity Baptist Church. There wasn’t anything she couldn’t do if she set her mind to it. She broke her hip while she was in her 80’s and she was walking in three weeks as if nothing had happened. When COVID hit, in 2020, she was admitted to the hospital and placed on a ventilator where her family was told not to expect her to make it. She was home and breathing on her own in three weeks. When she was diagnosed with cancer, she hung on until her body just couldn’t go further. Through it all, there was always one constant…she was her husband’s true and only faithful love- and the only one she knew.

There are no words to say the impact or legacy’s she has left behind. One has to only look at the accomplishments of her children, grandchildren and husband. She was preceded in death by her sweetheart, Dr. Donald Hoyt Vines; and a son, David Anderson Vines. Surviving children include Donald Hoyt Vines Jr., Dr. Danette Rene Vines Conway, and Deborah Kaye Vines Lowe.

Dad called her “the General” but her children call her Mom — the love of their lives.

Funeral services led by the Rev. Gregory Bath will be held in the chapel of Johnson Funeral Home on Friday, May 26, 2023 at 11 a.m. Following services interment will be in the family plot of Lewis Cemetery in DeRidder at 2 p.m.

We invite you to leave a fond memory or sentiment of condolences on our website www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.