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Dee Story Obituary

Dee Ann Story (1931-2010) Eminent Texas archeologist Dee Ann Suhm Story passed away on December 26, 2010 at her home in Wimberley, Texas after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was born to Emma and Eugene Suhm in Houston on December 12, 1931, and was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Beverly Morgan; and her husband Hal, whom she married in October of 1961. She is survived by four beloved nephews: Clayton Morgan, Tim Morgan, and Matt Morgan of Austin and Russell Morgan of Houston; her many friends from around the world; and her faithful dog, Callie. Raised in Houston, Dee Ann attended Texas Womens University in Denton and received two degrees in anthropology from The University of Texas at Austin; a Bachelor of Arts in 1953 and a Masters of Arts degree in 1956. She received her Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1963 where she was one of the first women to graduate from that program. Dr. Dee Ann Story organized and directed the archeological laboratory at the University of Utah and participated in archeological fieldwork documenting sites before the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam. She was one of the earliest women to actually work in the field alongside her male colleagues. Her mentors at The University of Texas convinced Dr. Story to return to Texas, where she became Assistant Director for the Texas Archeological Salvage Project and taught in the Anthropology Department. From 1965 to 1987, she served as the first Director of the Texas Archaeological Research Laboratory in addition to her teaching responsibilities as a professor. She co-authored the influential Handbook of Texas Archeology which established a typology for the artifacts of Texas' prehistory. Dr. Story became Professor Emeritus upon her retirement in 1987. Dr. Story's accomplished career in archaeology and teaching included publication of many articles and monographs on Texas archaeology, directing numerous major archaeological and research projects in Texas, and instructing and inspiring her many students. As a teacher and mentor, she made a profound impact on her students' lives. Today, they carry on her legacy at universities and research institutions across the country. Her main field of research focused on the ancestral Caddo culture of East Texas where she conducted fieldwork at Caddoan Mounds for many years. Her deep understanding of other cultures earned her honorary membership in the Caddo Tribe. Dr. Story took an active role in both national and regional professional societies, including the American Anthropological Association, Society for American Archaeology, Society for Historical Archaeology, Plains Anthropological Society, Arkansas Archaeological Society, and Texas Archaeological Society. Her many awards are too numerous to list, but she was particularly proud of being awarded the Curtis D. Tunnell Lifetime Achievement Award,the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Texas Archeological Society, and the Betty Lee Wright Award for Democratic Leadership from the Wimberley Democrats. Dee Ann retired from The University in 1987 and subsequently moved to Wimberley with Hal. Her work had just begun, however, as she became active in the community serving on numerous boards and acting as a trusted adviser to: theWimberley Institute of Cultures, the Hays County Historical Commission, the Wimberley Players, the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association, the League of Women Voters, and the Wimberley Democrats (or Wim Dems). Her devotion to the Wimberley Institute of Cultures included serving as president of the Board and establishing a historical archive (now named in her honor). Dee Ann's annual birthday party, cleverly disguised as a Christmas party, became the social event of the year in Wimberley. She also continued her professional activities by serving on the boards of the Archeological Conservancy and the Shumla School and continuing to advise on archeological sites across the State. Dee Ann and Hal granted a conservation easement to the Archaeological Conservancy for a prehistoric site located on family land. She named the site, which of course she discovered, after her parents whom supported her in all her endeavors. A visit with Dee Ann in Wimberley always led to stories from her extensive travels that took her to every continent in the world. Accompanied by dear friends, she visited Antarctica, the Arctic, Greenland, Canada, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, China, the Mediterranean, Mexico, Central America, the Galapagos, India, Bhutan, most every National Park in the U.S., and reluctantly, Europe. Dee Ann's admiration for the work of the Archeological Conservancy gave her an excuse to embark on every one of their archeological tours, usually more than once. Her love and understanding of other cultures - and of wildlife - followed her in these travels. There were few places she travelled that would not reveal a new archeological site to her, and the professor would emerge as she taught her fellow travelers about the significance of her find. Antarctica and Africa were amongst her favorite places in the world, reflecting her admiration and fascination for geology and elephants. Dee Ann's love for her pets is legendary. Creature, a rescued blue jay that refused to rejoin the wild, protected her from friends and foes alike. Creature travelled extensively with Dee Ann and Hal, visiting most of the major national parks. Her dogs, Bridgett, Humphrey and Ginger, were constant companions, as were her loyal herd of deer and her amazing fish. Dee Ann considered dying a considerable inconvenience, as she had so much yet to accomplish. She will be missed by her family, many friends and her colleagues, but memories of her will last all our lifetimes. A memorial service is pending. Donations in her memory may be made to The Dee Ann Story Educational Fund (P.O. Box 2788, Wimberley, Texas 78676) or the Archeological Conservancy (5301 Central Ave. NE, Suite 902, Albuquerque, NM 87108). A scholarship in her honor, the Dr. Dee Ann Story East Texas Archeology Scholarship, was recently established at Stephen F. Austin State University (P.O. Box 6096-SFA Station, Nacogdoches, TX, 75962). Plans for a memorial service will be announced in the near future. Please sign the online guest registry at www.thomasonfuneralhome.com. Thomason Funeral Home, Wimberley, TX (512) 847-2226.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Austin American-Statesman on Dec. 29, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
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Jim Neely

December 26, 2024

Dee Ann is truly missed by her colleagues!!

Jim Neely

December 23, 2023

A wonderful human being as well as a fine scholar!!!
We all miss you Dee Ann!!

Don Wyckoff

December 23, 2020

She was an esteemed archaeological colleague and a kind friend.

Barto Arnold

January 10, 2011

Dee Ann was my professor and mentor beginning with the Davis Site field school of 1970. From her I learned the importance of careful study and professional responsibility. Dee Ann launched me on my way as an archaeologist. It was such a privilege to have known her.

Frank Weir

January 7, 2011

It wasn't long ago that I saw Dee Ann and even though she was ill I thought this gal can conquer anything. The news that she had passed was quite a blow. I've known Dee Ann since the mid-50s and considered her a wonderful friend and colleague. From the time we were students at UT she no doubt had a tremendous impact on my career and there isn't a room big enough to hold all the people she influenced. We will miss her confidence and energy and she leaves a void that will not soon be filled.

Don Wyckoff

January 6, 2011

Her interests and research integrity created ripples that reached into Oklahoma where the late Dr. Robert E. Bell frequently taught and praised her training, findings, and knowledge. All of us who knew her appreciated and loved her.

James Neely

January 5, 2011

A wonderful friend and colleague - she will be sorely missed!!

bill moore

January 4, 2011

I met Dee Ann in the in the 1960s during my first visit to TARL. I had no formal experience in archaeology but I wanted to know how I could become involved in archaeology and she encouraged me to record sites, document collections, and (of course) read as much as possible. She always seemed to find time to talk to me and I will always be grateful. The last time I saw her was at her house a few years ago when she kindly invited me to see where she lived. We sat on the patio overlooking the river and had a wonderful conversation. She signed the "now famous" Bulletin of the Texas Archeological Society that she co-authored with Alex D. Krieger and Edward B. Jelks. That bulletin was my first literary introduction to archaeology. One of the employees at Garner State Park had a copy and he let me look at it when I was at the park. I never wanted to give it back. She graduated from Milby High School in Houston (my alma mater) and we lived in the same neighborhood but I did not know her at the time.

Jack Keller

January 4, 2011

Friend, mentor, colleague, and compatriot, Dee Ann was so much more to me than my dissertation director. It is so very hard express all that she meant to me and Linn. We will both miss her a great deal.

Donny Hamilton

January 2, 2011

Much of what I have been able to achieve as an archaeologist is because Dee Ann gave me the opportunities to succeed. I first met her at a UT summer field school at Pole Cat Hollow in the summer of 1968 when I started my graduate career in Austin. She continued to be my professor, my mentor, and my employer for the next 10 years working at TARl, the Davis Site, and the Antiquities Conservation Facility. But, mainly she was a friend that I kept in contact with through the years and exchanging our annual Chirstmas cards. She was one of a kind and she will be missed.

Paddie Patterson

December 31, 2010

I am saddened by the loss of Dee Ann, the consummate archaeologist. Small in stature but filled with a giant's share of knowledge that she was more than willing to share. She was a teacher and a friend. She will be missed in so many ways.
Paddie Patterson

Angela

December 30, 2010

I am sorry to hear of the lost of life. Death is thus an absence of life. It is comforting to know that death is a state of total unconsciousness. "For the living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all" (Ecclesiastes 9:5)

Phil Hartnady

December 30, 2010

Dr. Story was my teacher, mentor, friend, and I will miss her dearly. I last saw her at the airport as she was arriving from somewhere, and I was going back home to KY. We talked for a while and so many good memories of our days at TARL, and the Davis site came flooding back. There will never be another Dee Ann Story, and I am a better man for having known her.

Mary Newcomb

December 29, 2010

To the much loved nephews of Dee Ann - my sincere condolences. She and Hal were very dear friends of my parents for as long as I can remember. She was Avery important role model to growing up - the trailblazer who was proof that women could do whatever they chose. Professional, exceptionally well-spoken, intellectual and hard-working - but also warm, funny and completely open-minded. What she shared with those around her- students, collegues and friends goes far beyond her her field of work. She was such a treasure. I will miss her.

December 29, 2010

I was honored and privileged to have taken my Texas Archeology course with Dr. Story. Working at TARL during her tenure was the best preparation for being a professional archaeologist. No one can replace the role model she was for women in archaeology. Rest well Dee Ann.

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