Palestine High School Alumni Association

She was born in Palestine on August 26, 1923 to Frank and Myrtle Taylor Sawyer. She owned and operated a children and junior clothing store in downtown Palestine for 24 years. She graduated from Palestine High School in 1940 as valedictorian of her class, began her higher education at age of 38, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in 1974, a Master of Arts in 1975, both from Stephen F. Austin College in Nacogdoches, Texas. She received a Doctor of Philosophy in English in 1979 and a Doctor of Philosophy in International Relations in 1986, both from the University of London in London, England. These two degrees required her to teach and research in Anaco, Venezuela, Ahwaz, Iran, the Soviet Union, China, Israel, Scotland and Wales. When returning to Palestine she taught at Crockett High School and Westwood High School. She was preceded in death by her father and mother Frank and Myrtle Sawyer, her husband Mike Denton in 1980 and a sister Marie Norton in 1991.

She is survived by her son Frank Sawyer Denton and wife Connie Eaton Denton, two grandchildren, John Frank Denton and Greer Denton Ready, and four great grandchildren, Cameron Denton, Victoria Ready, Grayson Denton, and Sawyer Ready all from Conroe, Texas, a sister Frankya Cooper of Elkhart and four nieces Carla Killion of Palestine, Christine Oliphant of Houston. Clara Davis of Chattanooga, TN., and Donna Norton Droby of Dallas.

Condolence calls will be received from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. Tuesday at Bailey & Foster Funeral Home.