Here’s the final tribute to an incredible woman and the best mother in the world.

Lena Margaret (Harper) Douphrate

July 20, 1934 – July 6, 2017

Lena Margaret (Harper) Douphrate of Carrollton, Texas passed away on Thursday, July 6, 2017 at the age of 82.

Lena was born July 20, 1934 in Denton, Texas. By the age of 12, her parents, Irvin and Idell Harper had skipped around the U.S., following Irvin’s Naval officer career during World War II. They moved three times during her 6th grade year, which included a stint in Boston where her classmates listened wide-eyed to Lena’s made-up stories about her cattle ranch that her family owned in the wild state of Texas. By 1946 Irvin and Idell had settled in Gilmer, deep in the heart of East Texas, where Irvin was the Regional Appraiser at Federal Land Bank.

Irvin and Idell established early in their marriage and home the importance of faith. Lena learned from a young age about the love of Jesus and decided early to follow His path for her life, grateful for His grace.

Soon after arriving in Gilmer in 1946, a young blonde chap caught Lena’s eye. His name was Billy and they were in the 6th grade. Their romance burned and cooled during junior high and high school. In the summer of 1950, her high school senior year, Lena was crowned the 13th Yam Queen of the East Texas Yamboree, and in the spring graduated with the Gilmer High class of 1951. Lena and Bill went their separate ways for college, Lena to Baylor and Bill to Texas A&M. Lena worked to finish her degree at Baylor in three years so they could marry on August 8, 1954, the summer before Bill marched in his senior boots on Kyle Field with the Texas Aggie Band.

Bill graduated in May of 1955, and later in August of the same year Anel (Lena spelled backwards) made her appearance. Just a few months later, the Army beckoned and moved the young Douphrate family to New Jersey and then to North Carolina. A quick and surprising thirteen months later, along came William L. (Dub).

By 1960, the Douphrates made their home in Carrollton, and with Anel and Dub in school, Lena was able to use her business education degree at R.L. Turner High School teaching typing, business law, and shorthand. The summer of 1966 found Lena radiating with a glow of pregnancy of baby #3, Della Jane; and just a couple years later along came David.

Once the younger set were in school, Lena desired to expand her education and finished her Master’s in Education in counseling at North Texas State University. She then served as Vocational Counselor at Newman Smith High School for ten years. In 1983, Lena and her fellow counselor and dear friend Windy Sitton switched gears a bit, spread their entrepreneurial wings and launched The Color Connection with the goal to educate fellow career minded women on the importance of image and wardrobe choices.

Lena was an amazing woman. She could complete the New York Times crossword in 15 minutes…in pen. She spoke fluent Spanish, and was known to tutor immigrant families with their English. A true southern lady, she never went out without her makeup and a huge smile. She was a Boy Scout den mother, and endless crafter of costumes.

She was both a party planner extraordinaire and then the life of the same party. She was a compassionate drier of tears with a gentle listening ear. She was queen of the neighborhood fun house, and later, present for the births of all of her grandchildren. A member of the First Baptist Church, Carrollton since 1960, she loved her church family dearly.

Lena’s grand achievement was watching her children and grandchildren grow and learn. On one wall of their home she proudly displays all graduation photos of them receiving diplomas, upwards of 50, from kindergarten all the way through PhDs and MDs.

Lena is preceded in glory by her parents Idell and Irvin Harper, as well as grandson William Lucas Douphrate III (Luke). She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Bill; children Anel Ryan (husband John), W.L. (Dub) Douphrate II (wife Ginger), Della Allen (husband Rick), and Dr. David Douphrate (wife Jeanne). Lena was the proud grandmother to 14 grandchildren, Scott Bow, Dr. Brad Bow, Tyler Blalock, Dr. Emily McCullar, Kaitlyn (Douphrate) Bissenden, Drew Douphrate, Mickey Evans, Lenae (Allen) Stamps, David Allen, Jane Allen, Claire Allen, Evan Douphrate, Nathan Douphrate, and Slater Douphrate, as well as 5 great-grandchildren.

The family will be receiving visitors on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the First Baptist Church in Carrollton, 2400 N. Josey Lane, Carrollton, Texas 75006.

Funeral Services will be on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at 2:00 pm also at the church.

There will be a procession from the church to Perry Cemetery in Carrollton where Lena will be laid to rest.