Dolores Holland Price

Dolores Holland Price, beloved mother, grandmother, artist, teacher, and friend, passed away on August 26, 2025 after living a full and vibrant 93 years. She remained curious, good humored, and surrounded by the people she loved and who loved her.

Born on March 20, 1932, to Gladys and Richard Holland, she had fond memories of climbing big live oak trees and enjoying Sunday suppers of fried chicken in Houston, Texas. Dolores carried with her a lifelong love of learning, creativity, and community. After graduating from Reagan High School where she was voted “most beautiful,” she attended Sam Houston State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Education with a Minor in Art in 1954. Dolores earned her Master in Science from Texas A&M at Kingsville in 1981. In 1953, she married Bill Porter, her high school sweetheart. They lived in many places across Texas and built a beautiful family together before divorcing in 1965.

As a single mother of five, Dolores moved into a rustic bayhouse in Rockport, Texas. It remains a special place still owned and cherished by the family today. She began her teaching career there before returning to Houston as head of the art department at Spring Branch Junior High, where she became known for her high standards and firm discipline. She balanced the demands of the classroom with the responsibilities of home, instilling in her children the same resilience and faith that defined her life.

In 1973, Dolores married the gregarious Bill Price and moved to Kingsville, where her passion for art, politics, and community engagement flourished. She studied under artists she admired deeply, including Robert Wood, Ed Whitney, Charles Reid, John Pike, and Millard Sheets. She and Bill traveled extensively for artist retreats and workshops. At a creative workshop led by Madeleine L’Engle, Dolores was drawn to the concepts of chronos and kairos - ordinary time versus God’s time - which she continued to reflect on throughout her life.

Over the years, she became an accomplished watercolorist winning awards across the Southwest and earning signature memberships in the South Texas Art League, the Southwest Watercolor Society, the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies, and the Art Center of Corpus Christi. Her work has been widely exhibited in one-woman shows. She proudly created artwork for Texas A&M’s Legacy Ball invitations and fundraisers for twelve years, and she leaves behind several pieces for future invitations.

Bill Price supported her life-long dream of owning an art studio by gifting her the mid-century modern home next door, which she named The Kairos Gallery. She had faith all along that a gallery of her own would happen “in God’s time.” Dolores taught weekly lessons for more than 30 years. Her students - whom she considered extended family - remember her classroom as a place filled with laughter, learning, and deep friendships.

A woman of poise and conviction, Dolores was a committed Republican, chairing John Tower’s campaign in Kleberg County in 1978, serving as district committeewoman for the state of Texas, and acting as campaign manager for President Reagan’s 1980 and 1984 campaigns in Kleberg County. She was a delegate to the 1984 National Convention and never hesitated to engage anyone in spirited political conversation.

Her devotion to community extended beyond politics. She and Bill shared an innately generous spirit and passion for helping others. They were deeply involved with The Church of the Epiphany and its school, establishing an endowment fund and donating an organ in memory of her youngest daughter, Jeanne Marie Porter. They also supported Texas A&M football and contributed to local development projects, including founding Sellers Market.

Dolores’s greatest pride and accomplishment was her family. She was the proud mother of Brad Porter (his wife Pam); Cathy Porter; Suzanne Watson (her husband Bobby); Liz Reese (her husband Richard). Her joy multiplied in being “Mommom” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Michelle Alley (her husband Aaron) with daughters Sienna and Layla; Audra Green (her husband Ben) and son Alden; Andrew Reese (wife Kimberly) with son Carson; Lindy Reese (her partner Lexie Davidson); Jacob Reese; Annie Reese; Matthew Porter; and Megan Porter. Nothing made her beam more than spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren - her family was her masterpiece.

In her later years, Dolores embraced community life at the Villages of Southampton in Houston, where she filled her days with rummikub, book clubs, water aerobics, concerts by her favorite violinist, mahjong, and many new and fascinating friendships. The vibrant community there extended her health and happiness by many years.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Gladys and Richard Holland; her brothers, Richard and Hugh Holland; her husbands, Bill Porter and Bill Price; her cherished youngest daughter, Jeanne Marie; and countless dear friends. What a joyful reunion they must be having - likely on a sunny porch with a gin and tonic in hand.

Dolores will be remembered for her faith and grit when faced with hard times, her beauty and poise, her artistic talent, her humor, and abundant generosity. Her legacy lives on in her prolific body of artwork, in her close-knit family, and in the bayhouse which she loved.

A celebration of Dolores’ life will be held on Saturday, September 6, at 1:30 p.m. at The Church of the Epiphany in Kingsville, Texas, with a reception to follow. All who knew her are warmly welcome to join in this kairos moment honoring a life so beautifully lived.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to honor Dolores’ legacy by supporting a local artist of your choice.