Dorothy Elizabeth Morris, 97, of Rapid City, died Friday, August 1, surrounded by her family at her home that she shared with her daughter and son-in-law, Janet Mae and Phil Dowlin. She was born in Wasta on April 4, 1911 to Florence and William Miles. Growing up, she had many adventures with her sisters and brother and played the piano for church. She developed a love of playing basketball at an early age and later enjoyed watching the NBA -- especially the Houston Rockets and the San Antonio Spurs. She began teaching a combined class of grades one, two and three in Wasta in 1932 and taught first grade in Rapid City for over twenty-five years, finally retiring in 1975. Her passion for education instilled the love of reading in hundreds of children and she said she never had a bad student. She was often stopped in the streets by grateful former students asking, Do you remember me? Her most eager students were her grandchildren, Deanna Dowlin and Michael Dowlin, with whom she shared a very special bond. She was a caregiver for most of her life and took great pleasure in spending time with her family -- traveling, playing cards or just reminiscing. She also enjoyed her many friends, watching birds, listening to music, smelling the flowers, driving through the Black Hills and a nice, hot cup of tea. She led a courageous life with dignity and pride and will be greatly missed by her loved ones. She was a member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, P.E.O. chapter BR and Alpha Delta Kappa, an honorary teaching sorority. Survivors include her daughter Janet Mae Dowlin and her husband Phil, Rapid City, and two grandchildren Deanna Dowlin, Rapid City, and Michael Dowlin and his wife Deborah, Houston, TX. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Frank Miles; and 3 sisters Edith Amundson, Mae Meiners and Marjorie Doody. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, August 7, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church with the Rev. Richard Ressler and the Rev. David Cameron officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Emmanuel Episcopal Church or the Black Hills Childrens Home.