Dorothy Watkins

Dorothy Louise Petty Watkins died August 3, 2018 in Florence SC.  Dottie was born May 29, 1931 in Hartsville SC to William Doss Petty and Fannie Louise Freeman Petty.  She grew up in Hartsville with 5 brothers and 4 sisters.

On December 13, 1952, she married William Edward Watkins. She spent her life raising their 4 children and serving in the church in various leadership roles in the children’s, youth and women’s organizations.  She served as a Cub Scout leader and president of the local garden club.  Dottie worked with the public school system over 30 years as a dietician and cafeteria manager in several different elementary schools in Hartsville and Cheraw.

Once Dottie and Ed retired, they went into full-time mission work for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at the Atlanta GA Temple, the Columbia SC Temple, and as proselyting missionaries in Oakland CA, all totaling about 12 years.

Since Ed passed 6 years ago, Dottie moved to the Carolinian in independent living and then assisted living.  She was a friend to all and made everyone feel like they were family.

Dottie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Ed, 5 brothers and 3 sisters.  Surviving are her sister Jackie (Jack) Jones of Hartsville SC, and 5 sisters-in-law, as well as her children, Terry (Tim) Harvey of Florence SC, Eddie (Miranda) Watkins of Columbia SC, Libby (William) Rhodes of Florence SC, and Evelyn Watkins of Taos, NM.  Dottie (Grandma Da) leaves behind 17 grandchildren and spouses, 49 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.

The way Dottie lived her life was her legacy of love and service.  Her love for her family was paramount in her life, and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Calling hours will be Sunday, August 5, 2018, from 4:00-6:00 pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Florence, SC, 1620 Malden Drive.

Services will be held on Monday, August 6, 2018 at 10:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Florence, SC, 1620 Malden Drive. Burial will be in the Society Hill LDS Cemetery directed by Norton Funeral Home, Hartsville.

In lieu of flowers, please make any donations to the Society Hill LDS Cemetery Association, PO Box 497, Society Hill, SC, 29593