M. Lee Douthit
Mary Lee Lee Douthit was born on June 6, 1946 to Evelyn and Jack Douthit of Sterling City, TX. She graduated with a BA in history from Texas Women's University in Denton TX and held an MA and PhD in anthropology from the University of Texas at Austin. Douthit had an extensive career teaching anthropology and working as a research archaeologist. She worked for the Federal service as a BLM archaeologist at locations all over the United States. Her contributions to archaeology in the Four Corners region and specifically at the BLM's Anasazi Heritage Center were outstanding and deserve special remembrance. Douthit established many friendships and was highly respected by persons in the private academic and federal sectors. Her dedication and perseverance to details understanding of people outstanding intellect and communication skills together with her warmth and kindness helped perpetuate her career and her establishment of wonderful personal academic and business relationships. She learned to set type by hand in her parents' print shop in a small town in Texas. They published a weekly. She taught ESL in Congo and learned Tchiluba to augment her Italian. Her anumals had Tchiluba names. In Congo she sustained a horrific accident that left her lame and nerve-damaged. It slowed her only slightly. Her masters and PhD were from the Department of Archaeology at the University of Texas at Austin. She died August 20 2002 at 56 in the Bureau of Land Management offices. At her desk. In Battle Mountain Nevada. Far far too soon. (Mary) Lee Douthit lived life as if she knew it would be too short. And the impact she had on those who knew loved and respected her was profound. She was musical. She did handwork. She was a gourmet cook. She was the best friend anyone could ever have. She was a daughter of Texas through and through -- but a Yankee fan. Because that was the only signal that reached Sterling City Texas when she was growing up. She had a piercing intellect and an incredible wit. She was the warmest human being there was. And her life was one of good works. The loss is all of ours. --Sandi Utech