JoAnn Marie Dorsey passed peacefully Sunday, August 27, 2023.
Visitation: 6pm to 8pm Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at Lake Shore Funeral Home
Rosary: 7pm Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at Lake Shore Funeral Home
Mass: 11am Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at St. Louis Catholic Church, 2001 N. 25th St., Waco, TX 76708
Graveside Service: 1:30pm Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at China Spring Cemetery
JoAnn Marie Dorsey was born to Levi and Mary Ann Duguay on January 30, 1937, in Bangor, Maine. JoAnn lived with her grandparents in Winterport, Maine and attended Winterport High School. JoAnn was a Baton Twirler and marched in the Winterport High School Band; she was an avid snow skier, ice skater, and enjoyed roller skating dancing with her friends. On one occasion she met a handsome soldier in the Air Force named Noah Columbus Burson, Jr. from Crockett, Texas. They participated in Roller Skate Dancing and fell in love. Their first child Terry L. Burson-Southfield was born in 1955 at Dover Air Force Base; as Noah prepared to return to Okinawa, Japan, he sent JoAnn to stay with his mother Pearl Burson in Crockett, Texas. Eventually, they had six children, Glenda Sue Burson-Hathorn born in Crockett, Texas, Mickel Leon Burson and Mary Jane Burson-Orona born at Sandia US Army Base Hospital, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Ann Marie Burson-Paul was born in Trinity, Texas and Nancy Burson-Patrick, and Cindy Burson-Kokel born in Crockett, Texas. JoAnn remarried years later to Marvin Cross and had two more children Marvine Cross was born in Marlin, Texas, and Marvin “BJ” Cross, was born in Waco, Texas. Years later Marvin Cross, Sr. passed away.
A few years later JoAnn married Charles Robert Dorsey and he was the Love of her Life. They had many wonderful years together they loved to fish and built a houseboat together. JoAnn could weld as she had many talents and every night after work they would head down to Lake Waco and “drown some minners”. Just being together was wonderful for JoAnn and Charles. On occasion they loved to country western dance. Chuck after a short illness passed away and JoAnn never remarried.
JoAnn refocused her life and returned to college and became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). JoAnn was a caring and loving person; she never knew a stranger.
JoAnn’s children gave her 18 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and 16 great great grandchildren. They loved visiting their grandma JoAnn and she will truly be missed by her children and grand-kids.
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Dear Glenda and family.
.I’m so sorry for your loss..I can tell she was a great mom because yall was always up there..and she was always smiling when one of yall walked in..that says alot ..it was a privilege to have taken care of her on night shift..always remember each of you were truly a blessing to her..God Bless Each Of You
JoAnn you will be missed by so many. I bet your up there dancing in the sky. I know you will be watching over all of us. I am so thankful that I had the honor to get to you and love you. Thank you for including me in your family. May you rest in peace sweet lady.
Grandma you will be missed you left a piece of you on sooo many people and I’m glad I could be one of them I love you ur probably up there singing and dancing was a honer to have you as my grandma
Dear Marvin and Marvine,
I am so sorry to hear about your mom, she is a very special lady, she was like a second mom to me.
My thoughts and prayers go out to your entire family I will keep you in my prayers. Lot’s of love
Dear Marvin and family,
I am so sorry to hear about your momma. You have told me many things about her and how much you loved her. She sounded like a beautiful person. Hugs and love to you
Marvin and family so so sorry to hear about the loss of your precious mom! I know she will be missed by all. Prayers and sympathies sent. Love hugs and prayers during this difficult time.