RODDY DORSEY

 The following bio was taken from page 180 of the book entitled “Rusk County History” compiled and edited

And used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission.

Transcribed by Shirley Koym

Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Rusk County TX Coordinator

  Roddy Marlin Dorsey was born in Henderson, Texas on October 31, 1936.  His parents, Ralph and Irene Jones Dorsey, have lived in and around Henderson all their lives.  Roddy attended New London Schools in New London, Texas where he graduated in May, 1955.  Roddy has four brothers:  Farrell, Maxie, Terry, and Danny.  His grandparents were James William and Lena Jane Poole Dorsey and Joseph Ance and Mary Ann Grindle Jones. 

Kay Ann Rushton, Roddy’s wife, was born in Henderson, Texas, January 19, 1939.  Her parents, Joe and Myrl White Rushton, have lived in Henderson all their married lives.  Kay attended schools in Henderson, where she graduated in May 1957.  She has one brother, Wayne Rushton.  Her grandparents were C. M. (Buster) and Molly Hunt Rushton and K. and Ivy Spence White.

 Roddy and Kay married on February 7, 1958.  They have three children:  Debra Kay, born March 19, 1959; Marlin Harold, born September 26, 1960; and Keith Rushton, born September 26, 1963.  They lived in the Henderson area for six years, then moved to New London, where they now reside.  After moving to New London, Roddy opened an upholstery business which he still operates.

 After several years of marriage, Kay decided to go to college.  She attended Kilgore Junior College and received an Associate of Arts degree in May 1975.  She then attended Stephen  F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas to complete her education.  She received her Bachelor of Music Degree in May 1977.  She received her Master of Education degree in August 1981.  She now teaches in the Henderson Public Schools.

 Music, especially gospel music, has always been a part of the Dorsey and Rushton families.  After Roddy and Kay married, the Dorsey family  would gather around the piano for a family singing.  Out of this grew a family quartet composed of Roddy’s brothers, Max and Terry, Kay and Kay and Roddy’s son, Marlin.  Max’s son, Chance, played the bass guitar for the quartet.  Through this quartet the Dorsey and Rushton families are keeping the gospel music tradition set by both families.

 Roddy and Kay attend church at the Overton Missionary Baptist Church, Overton, Texas where Roddy is a Deacon and Kay is church pianist.  Debra attends church at First Missionary Baptist Church, Arp, Texas.  Marlin and Keith attend church at Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Henderson, Texas.

 Submitted by Kay Ann Dorsey