Dorothy Rangel

Weslaco: Dorothy Marilyn Rangel, 77, passed away on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco. Dorothy was born on September 5, 1944, to Donald and Dorothy (Smith) Levings in Superior, Wisconsin. Dorothy's family moved to Fort Worth when she was in high school. After graduating from high school, Dorothy earned a Bachelor's Degree in Education with a minor in Spanish from Texas Woman's University in Denton.

Dorothy was visiting the Rio Grande Valley during Thanksgiving, her Senior year at TWU when she met her soulmate. Lionel asked her to a dance at the "Paradise" in Matamoros, Mexico, and Dorothy fondly recalls that "his eyes sparkled." It was love at first sight. They married on December 27, 1966, in Ft. Worth.

In January 1967, Lionel began practicing Urology at Mercy Hospital, later Brownsville Medical Center. Dorothy was a passionate English teacher. She taught at Porter high school in Brownsville for many years. The Rangel family moved to Weslaco in 1989, where Dr. Rangel was associated with Knapp Medical Center. Dorothy continued her teaching career as an English teacher at Weslaco Highschool until about until her retirement.

Dorothy and Lionel were able to enjoy traveling and were able to make priceless memories throughout their marriage. They visited Europe, Germany, Ireland, England, France, and all over the United States. In addition, the Rangel family took many road trips up to Dallas to visit family.

As passionate as Dorothy was inside the classroom, her favorite pastimes outside of work were reading and writing. Dorothy wrote beautiful poems. She enjoyed sewing, going for a relaxing swim, or visiting with family and friends. Dorothy and her sisters loved to play scrabble, and since they were all teachers, the games got quite competitive.

Dorothy was strong-willed and driven to succeed. She had a huge heart and was very loving and kind.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Dorothy Levings, loving husband, Dr. Lionel Rangel, brother, Jack Levings, and sister, Margaret Levings.

She is survived by her children, Dr. Chris Rangel (Melissa) of El Paso, Charles Rangel of Weslaco, and Amelia Rangel of Weslaco, siblings, Marcia Levings, Maria Levings, Bobby Levings (Christine), Donald Levings (Cecilia), and Chuck Levings (Vicky), grandchildren, Addison and Eva Grace Rangel, Cecelia, Isabella, and Noah Herrera, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 9, at 10 am at McCaleb Funeral Home in Weslaco.