Woman, Texas City turn 100 together

TEXAS CITY — Since its founding in 1911, 18 men have been mayor and 52 people have served on the city commission in Texas City. There’s only been one Thelma Dyess.

While today is her official 100th birthday, Dyess is a living symbol of the city as it marks its 100th birthday, as well. She’s actually been feted since December when the city launched it’s yearlong celebration of its centennial.

“Texas City has been very good to me,” said Dyess, being sure to note she is five months older than the city.

Being born in Texas City on April 14, 1911, was a bit of luck, Dyess said.

“My mom was pregnant with me when she and my dad moved here in March,” Dyess said. “I was born the next month.”

Dyess’ parents, John and Sophia Dyess, moved to Texas City so John could find work. The construction laborer thought the growing community that was not yet officially Texas City was as good a place as any.

Thelma Dyess, one of five brothers and sisters, was born shortly after. Five months later, Texas City incorporated, and a city was born.

Disaster Survivor

Dyess’ eyes have witnessed almost every major event in the city’s history since.

The most “outstanding” memory of her time in Texas City came April 16, 1947. Dyess was 36 at the time and worked as an operator for the telephone company. Like all the other operators, though, Dyess was on strike in a dispute about wages.

Dyess and a few friends were sitting around the dining room table of her mother’s house “talking about the preacher we weren’t too happy with” when the first of two massive blasts happened.

“Momma got up and started through the kitchen door when she turned around and ordered us all into the hallway,” Dyess said.

So powerful was the blast from the French cargo ship Grandcamp after its load of ammonia nitrate caught fire and exploded, that every rafter in Dyess’ house “broke like matches,” even though each was made from 2-by-6 lumber.

Dyess then rushed to the phone company headquarters figuring she’d have to go to work.

“Of course all our equipment was broken down, too,” she said. “Everybody wanted to use the lines to make calls and tell people what damage they had, but we had to hold the lines open for doctors (and emergency responders).”

No one in Dyess’ family was injured or killed in the blast, but that was a rarity in the city.

“No one in the city talked about the blast for six months,” Dyess said. “You didn’t dare because everyone was touched by the tragedy.”

Dyess also got to see the city rebuild, which she said was her “proudest” time as a resident.

A Great Love

Dyess never married, doesn’t have any kids and all of her siblings have since died.

She’s had her suitors through the years, including Francis Alexander, an oil field worker and boat pilot who was friends with Dyess’ brother Thurman.

“My brother brought him home one day, and he was always there,” Dyess said. “He eventually became part of the family.”

So smitten with Dyess was Alexander that he created a quilt using 65 yards of material. The handcrafted bedcover, which will be on display today for Dyess’ party, features a Mason’s symbol and pillars that hold up the heavens with Thelma spelled out across the top.

“It took him two or three years to make it,” Dyess said. “It was so big, too big really because there were no king sized beds back then.

Alexander eventually moved to Kerrville without ever asking Dyess to marry him.

“Oh, we could have gotten married easily,” Dyess said. “But, he felt like a brother to me, so I don’t think I would have said yes if he asked.”

So deep was the connection, though, that Alexander left Dyess his entire estate — “what there was of it” ­— when he died, Dyess said.

Only One Regret

Dyess said she has had a good life but has one specific regret.

“I wish I could have finished high school and gotten my diploma,” Dyess said of having to drop out of school in eighth grade. “I had to drop out because of the Great Depression and find work.”

The avid reader said her favorite subject in school was English and even though she has a lifetime of learning through personal experiences, she wishes she had that one thing to say she finished high school.

Other than that, she’ll be happy to one day pass on with a legacy of being known as a woman who “was good to my friends and neighbors and who is honest and true.”

And she is proud to still be in her hometown.

“I have never had the desire to leave,” she said. “This is home.”

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Texas City Centennial Events This Week

WHAT: Salute to Thelma Dyess and unveiling of Texas City Centennial history panels

WHEN: 4 p.m. today

WHERE: Charles T. Doyle Convention Center, Phoenix Lane and 21st Street in Texas City

INFO: A birthday tribute to Dyess and unveiling of the panels representing the city’s history from 1951 to 1960.

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WHAT: Texas City Disaster Memorial

WHEN: 9 a.m. Saturday

WHERE: Texas City Memorial Park, corner of Loop 197 and 29th Street

INFO: Annual memorial commemorating the 1947 Texas City Disaster

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WHAT: Service of Resilience and Hope

WHEN: 2:30 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: St. Mary of the Miraculous Medal Church, 1620 Ninth Avenue North in Texas City

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WHAT: Thelma Dyess Birthday celebration

WHEN: 4 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: First Baptist Church of Texas City, 1400 Ninth Avenue North in Texas City

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Coming Saturday

The Daily News will publish the Texas City Disaster Survivors reunion photo in Saturday’s edition.