Obituaries by Molly Ivins

“Her personal dignity was so massive, even those who admired her hesitated to approach her. No one will ever know how lonely she was at the beginning.” Read more

“At the end of Burnett’s speech, the chairman of the Coordinating Board said, “Mr. Burnett, this has indeed been a most impressive presentation. I–I am left with just one question to ask you. Do you honestly believe there is justification for a four-year college in Odessa?” Burnett beamed and replied, “Mr. Chairman, there is enough ignorance in Odessa to justify an eight-year college.” Got the school too.” Read more

“Samm Evans was either ridiculously pretty or actually beautiful, I’m not sure which, but I wish that I, or anyone else, had been able to convince her that her looks were the least part of her being a knockout.” Read more

“His memoirs, on which he was working at the end of his life, reportedly deal extensively with his fears. But courage is not the absence of fear — it is the ability to fight despite fear. And Timerman always did.” Read more