Blye Ellen (Engel) Dollahite was born January 18, 1955, the daughter of Jan and the late Verne Engel in San Antonio, Texas. Blye passed away at the Dollahite ranch on Sunday, August 21, 2005 at age 50. Blye is survived by her husband and children, James, Derek, Darin and Rance Dollahite; mother Jan Engel of Blanco; her sister and brothers, Allison and husband Clinton Dowdy of Blanco; Cody Engel also of Blanco; Weldon Engel and wife Penny of Austin. Blye is also survived by nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Verne Engel.Blye was baptized on March 20, 1955 at St. John's Lutheran Church in San Antonio, Texas. Her family moved to Blanco during her school years. She was confirmed in November 1968 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. In 1971 she participated in the Lutheran Coronation Pageant that supports the Lutheran Hospital in San Antonio.Blye graduated Valedictorian for the class of 1973. She was president of the Future Homemakers Association at Blanco High School and was selected the State Homemaker Little Sister in 1973. She received her bachelors degree in Home Economics with a Kindergarten endorsement from Southwest Texas State University. In 1982, she received a Masters Degree in Early Childhood, from the University of Miami, Florida, after three summers of study there and overseas.During her professional career, Blye worked with the Community Action/Headstart Program for twenty -two years. She was a member of the National Association for the Education for Young Children (NAEYC) and was credentialed to certify NAEYC Childcare Centers. She also was qualified to certify Child Development Associate Candidates and did both for twenty years. In the last several years she had taught kindergarten at Blanco Elementary among other endeavors. Blye was a member of the Grange since 1971, having served as the 1973 State princess and later as State Grange Secretary and Lecture. She belonged to the Young Homemakers of Blanco from 1976 to 1996, having served as an area officer.Blye was also a member of the Eastern Star. In 1998 she received the Hometown Hero award from Time Warner/Paragon Cable for work with children. She was a past president of the BISD PTO and was an active supporter the Athletic Boosters for her sons.In 1984, Blye served as a member of the Council of Ministries at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Blanco, where she has also served as president of the Women's Organization, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, and served on an usher team.In her spare time, Blye was an avid reader and loved her children, actively supporting their education interest over the years. Blye will be remembered for her giving heart and dedication to children's education.Memorials may be given to the Blye Dollahite Memorial Fund in care of Blanco National Bank. Donated funds will be used for her children's college fund.