Dorothy Jean Wilson

Redmond, Oregon Dorothy Jean Wilson went home to be with her Lord on Friday, February 6, 2015, in Redmond, Oregon. Dorothy recently moved to Redmond, leaving her home in Gold Beach, Oregon. Dorothy was born in Gallatin, Missouri, on November 15, 1922, to Rev. William J. and Luella B. (Swearingen) Wilcoxon. Dorothys sister, Willa Lou, was born eight years later. The family lived in several towns in Missouri as Rev. Wilcoxon took several parishes in the United Methodist Church. Dorothy always thought of herself as a preachers kid. Dorothy graduated from Macon High School in 1940. In 1944 she graduated from college with an English degree from Central Teachers College in Fayette, Missouri, She learned to read music by studying piano and violin, and played through college. She also sang in choir. After graduation she taught high school English, third and fifth grades. Dorothy worked full time during her teaching career, in Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois. It was at the University Missouri, Columbia, where she received her Masters in Education and she met her husband, Dan Wilson. Dan and Dorothy were married in Kirksville, Missouri on June 6, 1948. The couple settled in Galesburg, Illinois, where their daughter and son were born. Dan built their home in Knoxville, Illinois, and they moved there to raise their family. Dorothy and Dan taught school in different school districts, and the children attended the Knoxville school district. The family was active in the United Methodist Church and later Bethany Baptist Church. Dan and Dorothy enjoyed entertaining church groups as well as their school children in their home. Both enjoyed gardening and music, often singing together. Dorothy joined Sweet Adelines in Galesburg. The family built and maintained apartments in nearby Wataga. They traveled six weeks during summer vacations. It was the couples dream to retire to a more temperate climate. They moved to Gold Beach, Oregon in 1980. They became active in the Senior Center in Gold Beach, and started Helpers Club, an organization which provided rides for seniors who needed transportation for medical visits, as well as other needs. They joined the Sixth Street Baptist Church. Dorothy held office with the Senior Center and was the church clerk for decades. Dorothy was also the song leader for the church, and she and Dan often sang duets. She also enjoyed singing in the community cantatas. Dorothy recruited singers and a pianist to accompany her to the Good Samaritan Home in Brookings on Thursdays to entertain the residents. Dan and Dorothy celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1998, but sadly, Dan passed away one month later. Dorothy kept active in her church and community and also enjoyed participating with the local chapter of the Red Hat Society, The Tsunami Mamas. She enjoyed visiting family, sewing, and crafts, and especially lovingly puttered with her many plants and flowers. She had a green thumb for plants. In 2010 Dorothys health necessitated her moving into assisted living at Shore Pines in Gold Beach. She was elected president of the resident council in the first year of her residency. Dorothy continued her church activities and was an avid reader, often reviewing books as a volunteer reader. She kept up with current events and never wanted to miss an activity. She remained in her apartment there until she moved on October 18, 2014 to Redmond to be close to her daughter and son-in-law. Dorothy is predeceased by her parents, her husband, Dan Wilson, and her sister, Willa Lou Cunningham, of Mishawaka, Indiana. Her survivors include daughter, Diana Lewis Clarke of Redmond, Oregon, son, Donald Wilson, of Huntington, Indiana, granddaughter, Delores Wilson of Huntington, Indiana, grandsons Daniel Wilson, of Auburn, Indiana, Wesley Wilson of Pickens, South Carolina, Shawn Lewis of Cordova, Alaska, and Bill Lewis of Portland, Oregon. Dorothy has ten great-grandchildren. Dorothy leaves a long legacy of love and accomplishment. She had many talents, including gifts of encouragement and optimism. She was a great listener and friend. She had many dear friends and loved ones about whom she cared deeply, and she will be greatly missed. Dorothy was laid to rest with her husband, Dan, at Eagle Point National Cemetery in Eagle Point, Oregon. Loving contributions may be made in Dorothys name to Sixth Street Baptist Church, 94301 6th St., Gold Beach, Oregon 97444. A memorial service will be held at the Sixth Street Baptist Church at 1:00 p.m. on March 21, 2015. A memorial service will be held on Monday,February 23, 2015 at 1:30 pm at the Heights Assisted Living located at 3000 SW 32nd Street, Redmond, Oregon 97756. Funeral Home: Redmond Memorial Chapel 717 SW 6th Street Redmond, OR US 97756

Dorothy Jean Wilson

November 15, 1922 - February 6, 2015