Our family and community lost a treasured and cherished member when Dorothy Jean Kneupper Clark passed away on March 15, 2023, at the age of 82. Growing up in Blanco she was known as Dorothy, and later as Aunt Dot; but to her beloved grandchildren, she was their own wonderful Mamaw.

She was born in Twin Sisters on August 1, 1940, into the family of Ora and Alwin Kneupper. From an early age she showed the strength and determination that became the hallmark of her entire life. She fell ill with polio when she was only 8 years old and had to attend 3rd grade in Gonzales Warm Springs Rehabilitation Center, far from home and family. Her little brother Allan Ray died at the age of six. She not only survived these tragedies, she overcame the physical limitations polio left her with to become outstandingly successful.

She graduated as valedictorian of Blanco High School, then went on to get her degree from Nixon Clay Business College in Austin. She married and had two children, Melissa and Allen, and made a beautiful, warm and loving home for them while continuing to work. She ultimately became the Director of Business of Operations and Dean of Business for the entire Dallas County College Districts Instructional TV Center, helping pioneer what is now called online learning. Even after retiring, Dorothy stayed active mentoring others at the DCCD, and was President of the DCCD Retiree Association for several years.

Of all her accomplishments, her greatest joy in life was her family. She loved time with her children and grandchildren, her sister, her mother, her many nieces and nephews. She lived by the motto that little memories can last a lifetime, and her grandkids will always remember puzzles, the crafts, the baking, the Dallas Mavericks games, all the fun that came from being around their Mamaw. Her memory will forever be a blessing.

Dorothy is survived by her sister Marie Anna Lindeman, her daughter Melissa Clark Hamm and her husband Jeff Hamm, her son Allen Clark and his wife Laeta Kalogridis, her grandchildren Jacob Hamm, Rebecca Hamm, Logan Clark, Miles Clark, and Avalon Kennedy, and her beloved cat Oliver.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in her name to:

Friends of Rowlett Animals (the rescue organization where she got Oliver)
www.frastx.org/donate
or
March of Dimes (which supported her and so many children recovering from polio)
www.marchofdimes.org