Dora Jean Homen

Dora Jean Britten Homen, of Amarillo, passed away Thursday, May 31, 2018, at the age of 91.

A Rosary is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 3, 2018 at St. Thomas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, 4100 S Coulter Street, Amarillo. A Mass of Christian Burial service is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 4, 2018 at St. Thomas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, followed by lunch in the Parish Hall; burial will take place at 2:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Groom. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home.

Dora Jean was born February 5, 1927 in Groom, Texas, to Louise and JM Britten, and was the 10th of 14 children. She graduated from Groom High School and St. Anthony’s Hospital School of Nursing. She was a Registered Nurse at St. Anthony’s Hospital and then the Director of Nursing at St. Ann’s Nursing Home for more than 30 years before retiring.

On November 20, 1948, Dora Jean married Ed Homen of White Deer in a double ceremony (joined by her older sister, Eva Marie, and Sammy Scott), and they celebrated 68 wedding anniversaries together before Ed’s passing on February 16, 2017.

A mother of six, a grandmother to 17, and a great-grandmother to another 17, Dora Jean was the epitome of a matriarch. She was the backbone, the moral compass, and the person from whom permission was sought. If you differed from her way, you were “a little bit wrong, but that’s alright”, and if you had her blessing, you were probably on the right track.

Dora Jean’s stage was the kitchen: she was an excellent cook and an even better storyteller. Often those two things took place simultaneously, and it was a treat to be on the receiving end of both.

She loved her family above all else, but she also loved the lake, playing 42, and a good Scotch and water in a “pretty glass”.

Dora Jean was known for always making a statement, both figuratively and literally, with her colorful clothes and even more colorful commentary. Her legacy will live on in the abundant advice she bestowed upon family, friends, and strangers alike; little gems of imparted wisdom that were unarguable, unforgettable, and often unsolicited.

She lived, and seemingly died, on her own terms, passing peacefully just hours after the last of her sons had a chance to say goodbye. At which point she likely swung open the Pearly Gates herself and announced to the Lord, “Here’s me!”

She is preceded in death by her husband, Ed.

Dora is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law: Robert Homen of Amarillo, Donny and Peaches Homen of Amarillo, John and Tonya Homen of White Deer, Larry and Damaris Homen of Amarillo, Richard and Gina Homen of Lubbock, and Louis and Alice Homen of Amarillo; and while not direct descendants, Mary Ruth and Billy Albracht and their five sons have always felt like an extension of her own family. She is also survived by a bevy of grandchildren and grandchildren-in-law, and seventeen great-grandchildren: Misty Homen of Arlington, Grant Homen (and sons Reed and Finn) of Amarillo, Amanda and Philip Saffel (and daughter Olivia and son Everett) of Lubbock, Justin Homen of White Deer, Jodi and Casey Crow (and sons Ellis and Edge and daughter Eppie) of White Deer, Chase and Liuda Homen (and daughters Anatolia and Aviana) of Corpus Christi, Justin and Lacee Freeman (and son Jaxon and daughters Logan and Hunter) of White Deer, Halley Homen and fiancé Colton Sanford of Houston, Malorie and Ryan Zimmer (and daughters Hattie and Roxie) of Amarillo, Jordan and Bo Marquez (and daughter Mackenzie) of Lubbock, Dr. Dean and Julie Homen (and son Jack) of Chappell Hill, NC., Dr. Dylan and Paige Homen (and daughter Leighton) of Lubbock, Hayden Homen of Lubbock, Andrew Homen of San Angelo, Christopher Homen of White Deer, Chelsea Homen of Amarillo, Meghan Homen of Amarillo, Meredith Homen of Amarillo, and Levi Homen of Amarillo.  She is also survived by her brother Art Britten and wife Jo Ann of Groom, brother Bill Britten and wife Dorothy of Amarillo, and her sister Sister Mary Louise of Panhandle