Freestone County, Texas
Obituaries


Dena Herren Bottoms
(October 22, 1934 - March 25, 2011)

Dena Herren Bottoms

A Celebration of Life Service for Mrs. Dena Herren Bottoms was held at the 
First Baptist Church of Jewett on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 2:00 pm. Rev.
Barron Harris, Rev. James Engle, and Rev. Billy Bob Evans officiated. Serving 
as pallbearers were: Jeff Herren, Cliff Bottoms, Martin Bottoms, Stephen
Bottoms, Bryce McBride, and Heath Bottoms.

Interment followed the services at Sardis Cemetery near Jewett.

The heavens welcomed one of their sweetest angels on March 25, 2011. 
Surrounded by her loving family she peacefully was called home.

Dena was born October 22, 1934 in Venetia, Texas to Auda Mae and Willis Herren.
She spent most of the first 19 years of life in Leon County. She graduated 
from Jewett High School in May of 1953 and seven months after she graduated 
she married the love of her life, Paul. In November of 1954 this sweet country
girl boarded the Queen Mary passenger ship bound for France, where Paul was 
serving in the military. This reunion would last for the next 57 years. As 
they celebrated their life together they were blessed with four wonderful 
children who cherished their mother.

Dena did her most rewarding work as she raised her children and helped Paul 
as he worked for his Doctors degree in Physics. She enjoyed the next nine 
years in Los Alamos, New Mexico where she spent lots of time sledding, skiing,
ice skating and go-carting with her children and Paul.

In 1975 the family returned to Leon County. Now that her children were older
, she wanted to work and began a 22 year career at Nucor Steel Mill as a sales 
credit analyst. In her retirement years she spent her time working around her 
house and yard, visiting friends and family and being a proud member of the 
Texas Baptist Men Building Organization.

Dena served in many ways as a member of the First Baptist Church of Jewett. 
Her favorite was singing in the choir. She was strong in her faith and deeply 
loved her Lord, Jesus Christ.

Dena is lovingly remembered as strong, caring, compassionate, and hard working.
She adored her family and friends. Her love of life was only surpassed by her
love of laughter.

She is preceded in death by her parents, and her brothers Nelson and Tommy.

She is survived by her loving family including, husband Paul Bottoms of 
Marquez; daughter, Cathy Bottoms of Houston; son, Ron Bottoms & wife Carmen of
La Porte; son, Larry Bottoms of Nederland; daughter, Angela Zientek & husband
Jimmy of Round Rock; three sisters, Pearl McBride, Jean Bottoms, and Joyce 
Looney; one brother, Joe Hardee; eleven grandchildren, Jessica Estes & husband 
Jason, Adrienne Bottoms, Samantha Bottoms, Elizabeth Bottoms, Heath Bottoms,
Lauren Bottoms, Brittany Zientek, Missy Bottoms, C.J. Bottoms, Brandon Zientek,
and Logan Bottoms; one great-grandson, Elijah Estes; numerous nieces, nephews,
other relatives and friends.

She touched many hearts and lives and will be deeply missed by all.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the director and staff of 
Spanish Meadows Skilled Nursing Facility for their loving care of this special
lady.

At the family’s request, memorials can be made to the Mayo Clinic attn: Scott
Arthur, Dept. of Development, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905; 
designate for the Rifampicin double blind study in memory of Dena Bottoms, or 
to First Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 263, Jewett, TX 75846.