Delores Ann Bauch Monroe was the second child and only daughter to Ernst Bauch and Alma Schmidt Bauch. She was born in Cornelius, Texas, on July 5, 1932. She was raised in Mathis, Texas. Her brothers were in Leslie, Wesley and Bobby. All were protective of their tomboy sister. Her uncle nicknamed her Dolly. It stuck.

By the seventh grade, Dolly was her full height. She was an avid athlete and excelled at many sports for her school. She had a great sense of humor and curiosity about the world. She visited many churches, seeking the right church and was baptized in the Baptist Church as a young teen. She had strong convictions.

At 17, Dolly had worked and saved enough to go to the university in Kingsville, Texas, where she majored in education. She had many friends and played several sports for the university.

She had worked as a substitute teacher and on and off for the telephone company in Mathis and then went to Alice to work for the same company. Raymond Monroe worked there, too.

Dolly had been praying for a good husband. She realized Raymond was the man she'd prayed for. Within six months, they were married. They were deeply in love and shared common values and faith. She had two children with Raymond, Becky and Russell.

Raymond's career meant moving frequently, but she embraced the moves with enthusiasm because it helped her husband. She went to the libraries in the new towns, researched dentists, doctors, civic groups, churches, neighborhoods, schools, grocery stores, pharmacies, etc. She did this many times they moved "all over South Texas".

In Cotulla, Dolly taught the children of migrant farm workers at Welhausen, the school where LBJ began his teaching career.

Dolly read news and business periodicals to keep her husband abreast of the news throughout her marriage. She also helped her children with their schoolwork. Helping in the church was a priority for her. She taught in Training Union, Sunday School, and Vacation Bible school in many locations in many Baptist churches in Texas.

Dolly worked for short stretches of time over the years for many companies. She also volunteered in many organizations, like the hospital in Pasadena. Her first priority was always a loving Christian home for her family.

In Pasadena, she began volunteering at the public library. She also took up oil painting and had paying patrons.

The library offered Dolly a full-time position. She was effective and worked her way up to the position of Acquisitions Manager.

Dolly was delighted when she and Raymond acquired the ranch in Friday, Texas. She enjoyed working the ranch with her family. Her grandchildren from Russell and his wife Cindy (Lawrence) are Amber and Jonathon. She loved them dearly and delighted in their perspectives and personalities. Before long, Raymond and Dolly retired to their ranch in Friday.
All the documentation for income tax for the ranch was always under Dolly's purview. She kept excellent records. Dolly took online courses to get her associate degree in business. She wanted to remain a valuable helpmate to her husband. Dolly and Raymond helped establish a lending library in the Friday Community Center. After her health would no longer permit the running of the library, one of her very best friends, Jan Wagner, took over.

Dolly faced many health issues. A solid faith in the Lord helped her survive them. She always felt the Lord blessed her far beyond what she ever dared to dream. She was truly grateful.

Dolly always loved children, especially her family. Amber blessed her family with two great grandchildren, Alexis and Kole. Alexis blessed her with a great great granddaughter, Yvonne. Through marriage to Jake, Alexis added two more great great grandchildren, Kynsleigh and Jessie. Kole married Kelsey, but they have not yet begun their family. Jon and his wife Jessica blessed her family with five great grandchildren: Ethan, Jay, Serenity, Kendra and Luke. Amber is now engaged to Bryan Flowers.

Far too soon, Russell passed away. But Raymond and Dolly enjoyed seeing bits of Russell in their grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.

After Raymond passed, Dolly's health declined. So many of the people she loved had passed away, and she longed to be reunited with them in heaven. Seventy years to the day after she married Raymond, she left this world in the sure and certain hope of eternal life with Jesus.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 9, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. with Bro. Lewis Jones officiating. Visitation will be held Friday, April 8, 2022, in the Groveton Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at the Ellis Prairie Cemetery.

Please share your memories with the family and sign our online guestbook @www.grovetonfuneralhome.com