Kateva Annette Dellis Doerfer

March 17, 1963 - January 7, 2009

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Knott Baptist

Saturday 1/10, 2:00 pm

Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home

3800 N. Big Spring St

Midland, Texas 79705

Friday 1/9, 9:39 am

Kateva Annette Dellis Doerfer blessed this earth on March 17, 1963 in Fort Worth, TX. Her amazing abilities included being a loving mother, daughter and an awe-inspiring encourager. She left this earth on January 7, 2009 to enter the loving arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ. Heaven is certainly blessed with the humor and wit of this precious woman.When she was 6 years old she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior, and was baptized at First Baptist Church Midland by Dr. L.L. Morris and continued to serve her Lord faithfully. As a teenager she was very active in youth activities at First Baptist Church, singing in musicals and 'His Group', going on mission trips and working Vacation Bible School.She graduated from Midland High School in 1981. Her love of the stage and performing arts carried on through college, and she graduated with a degree in Drama from Southwest Texas in San Marcos in 1987, while working at Brown's School with special needs children.Her humorous and vivacious teaching techniques in Sunday School and Bible Study attracted many young people, and while opening up her house to the youth, anyone and everyone could feel welcomed in her loving always-open arms. She participated in many mission trips including Canada, Germany, and New York while carrying the message of her Jesus everywhere she went.Her love of children sparked a teaching career in Midland in 1989, teaching Special Education at Lamar Elementary. That spark later turned into a burning passion resulting in her dream job in May of 2007, teaching Theatre Arts at Alamo Jr. High and Abell Jr. High. With motivational speaking serving as a second language, she was able to inspire her students to act to the best of their ability, to reach higher goals and to step outside of the box. During her first year of teaching Speech and Drama, her students received 2nd and 3rd place during the UIL play competition.Kateva is survived by her two daughters, Kenedi Alaine and Madison Ashley both of Midland; her parents, Willard and Bettye Dellis of Hot Springs Village, AR; many cousins and aunt/uncles.She has done a marvelous job of raising two girls, Kenedi and Madison, and has taught them to love the Lord and to depend on God to guide their lives. Kateva has influenced hundreds and possibly thousands of others to live their life to the fullest, to have fun, and to not forget that all things come together for the good of those who love the Lord. We, the family, want to express our deep gratitude to the nurses and staff at Select Care and to Dr. John McKenna for the exceptional care they gave to our precious mom and daughter. They loved her and cared for her as one of their own.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 2104 W. Louisiana, Midland, TX 79701 in memory of Kateva Doerfer. Condolences to the family may be posted in the guest book at caringbridge.org/visit/katevadoerfer.Funeral services for Kateva have been scheduled for 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 10, 2009 at First Baptist Church with Rev. Charlie Dodd officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, January 9, 2009 from 6:00 until 8:00 PM. Interment will be at CedarVale Cemetery in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas on Tuesday, January 13, 2009.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.,

Knott Baptist

Saturday 1/10, 2:00 pm

Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home

3800 N. Big Spring St

Midland, Texas 79705

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Friday 1/9, 9:39 am

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Dear Willard and Bettye, We are so sad to here of your loss. We never had the privilege of meeting Kateva, but reading of her love for the Lord and the many things she has accomplished, I know she will be missed by many. We will be lifting you and your family up in our prayers.

Sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you. After reading about your daughter and her wonderful accomplishments, two beautiful girls and an inspiring career, we can see you were truly blessed.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Dellis, I am very sad to learn of Kateva's passing. I'm sorry to say that I wasn't even aware that she had been sick. It's wonderful to see all the friends she has made and kept over the years and how many people she has touched personally. She will be missed, but we can take comfort in knowing that we will see her again. Kateva was a full package and a wonderful friend. I find myself referring to our family trip to Yellowstone often and to this day I am still honored to have been invited, but I can honestly say that I will never listen to another Helen Reddy 8-track as long as I live. I'm sure we will forever laugh about the trip to the emergency room in Raton, but hopefully that was only one of many times Kateva saw how much she was cared for and loved by us. My prayers are with you in your time of sorrow. Kenda

Mrs. Doerfer was an excellent Speech and Drama Teacher at Alamo and Abell Junior High School. She really cared about her students and did everything in her power to make her plays perfect. I thank her for letting me have a wonderful opportunity to be the lead roll in Winnie the Pooh. She helped me train to make first place best actor. Her determination helped me to make sweepstakes in solo acting at the fall and spring festivals two years in a row. My heart was deeply shattered when I heard the terrible news from Pickwicks. I know this pain that Mattey and Kennedi are feeling now. I pray every night for the Doerfer family. It is a tradgety to loose such a caring teacher who has made an impact on many of her students. May the lord always be with your family.

My heart is broken and I am so sorry to hear of Kateva's passing. I had the priviledge of teaching with her at Lamar Elementary, and thought she was one of the funniest people I had ever met. She was truely an amazing teacher and loved all of her students. I pray God will heal each of your hearts. Martha Byrd

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

We wish to express our deepest sympathy and condolences in the loss of your daughter. Please know that you are in our prayers and wil continue to pray for you and your family in the days ahead.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Dellis, My heart is broken with you and for you both and for the girls. I rarely come to Midland since my parents have passed away and I did not even know that Kateva was ill until today. I wish that I could have had the honor of praying for her and communicating with her through this hard journey that you have all had. I opened an old album of photos today and the first photo is Kateva from 1977 with a Dorothy Hamil haircut and a cowl neck sweater. I remember doing driver's ed practice with her at 7 am and listening to "La Freak", building a covered wagon with her and getting our picture in the Midland newspaper when she talked me into being the back end of a two-man horse costume, playing with her enormous cat, and her wonderful rendition of the brazen woman in the musical "Bright New Wings". She took me down my first ski run after telling me I only needed half a day of lessons, and she helped save me from sliding backwards down a black diamond gondola run at the top of the mountain that day. Our paths have taken us down different runs since then, but I know that Jesus was honored by her life. I read the journal in the caring bridge today with tears running down. I am so proud of what she did with her life. Wish that we could have stayed in better communication through the years. Last time I saw her was the day of Charlie Dodd's farewell reception at FBC Midland and it was so good to laugh with her then and to meet her beautiful daughters. I am so glad we have Jesus to hold onto those we love up there in heaven. He is the only one I could let them go to. It helps me to know that ours is a living hope not a dead one because He is alive not dead (1 Peter 1) and we'll see them again. Hope she says hi to Mom and Dad. Sending you an email hug, Kristen (Kiser) Sewell

I will always remember Kateva laughing and smiling. I'd see Kateva enter the Band Hall and I KNEW I was in for a laugh - never at anyone else's expense - only at her own. She always looked for - and found - the goodness and sweetness in everyone. Her gift was teaching - and not just in the classroom - but everywhere she went - I know I always learned from her! I can't stand it that she left us so soon - our job is to teach others what she taught us. She is an angel gone back to heaven. Our loss is temporary for this... is only Earth. Jami, Mark Cash and Aurora

I was in my sophomore year of high school when I first met Kateva. She had such a sweetness about her, she knew how to get through to me. If I had a problem with someone, I talked to her about it, and she gave me some advice on how to handle it. She will be truly missed and live in my heart forever. Thank you Kateva for having me in your class at First Baptist Church. My prayers go out to your family.

Although we never met Kateva, the person she was is surely a reflection of her parents. Her love for the Lord, desire to help others, and being a good parent are the same qualities we admire in our friends, Bettye & Willard. We will continue to pray for you.

We are so sorry for this sad time in your lives yet we are so glad that you know from whence comes your comfort, strength and courage for the days ahead. Girls, no greater tribute or honor could be made to your mother than for you to carry on her legacy of touching lives for Jesus. Bettye and Willard, you know you are special to us and we hope you can find comfort in the fact that Kateva touched so many lives for Christ. We will continue to pray for all of you as you face the days ahead. Love, LaWayne and Marcie

What a sad day for all of you, but the bells are ringing and the choirs are singing to welcome your sweet Kateva. We pray for all of you as you and Kateva begin your new lives. Our hearts are broken with you today but we rejoice that she is with our Lord in heaven. Our love and prayers, Mary and Paul Friemel

Kenndy and Madison, Cristina and I so have you all in our hearts. Please let us know if you need anything as time goes by. Cristina wishes she was here.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.