Dorothy Willis Obituary

Sorry to hear of Dot's passing. Condolences to the family. Many memories of the North Carolina steeple chase events and the hospitality Dot and Archie showed to all.

I grew up without family close by, but I was the luckiest girl because I had people who chose to be my family. My Godparents, Aunt Dot and Uncle Archie were two of my extended family members. From my baptism to graduations, they were there. From phone calls when I got my Masters and Teacher of the Year. I can still hear Aunt Dot say, “Oh, I am so proud of you, honey.”
I have so many memories filled with both of them. Going to Lake Lure is always at the top of my list. Evacuating for Hurricane Hugo and the other stories that go along with that trip, but that was Uncle Archie’s tale to tell and Aunt Dot’s to laugh at. We spent a 4th of July at the lake.
Laying on a pontoon boat, listening to the fireworks echoing through the mountains like cannons. They never seemed to mind having two kids, with boundless energy, running up and down the stairs, playing with the slot machine, or whatever mischief we could find. They just loved on us and spoiled us. Youngs Mountain also knew of another group that loved to come up there for a good weekend away. If those houses could talk, we would be laughing for years! I never did get to go to Steeplechase, although growing up, I couldn’t wait to get old enough to go. I love the Supper Club group, L.O.B.S.! I was blessed to join one night of supper club on Mr. Larry’s boat, and I know right now there is a small supper club happening in Heaven.
Our families always got together at Christmas time. A favorite memory was when Aunt Dot got her jelly cabinet. She had seen it months earlier in a store and wanted to get it and Uncle Archie told her she didn’t need it. She tried and tried, but he kept putting her off. They left without the cabinet, but Uncle Arch snuck back to get it for her as a Christmas present. I don’t know why that story sticks out the most, but I told Aunt Dot that one day I would love to have that jelly cabinet because I loved the story. Before she moved to Arizona she passed the jelly cabinet on to me, and I love it dearly. When I was 12 or 13 years old Aunt Dot wanted to start a collection for me that was from them. Every year at Christmas she gave me a couple of pieces of Spode Christmas China. Year after year she would hand me a gift and she would say “Now, I know you know what this is.” And I did, and I loved it. I was probably the only teenager who loved getting China pieces at Christmas. Finally, one Christmas, I had enough dinner plates for my whole family to use. I was so excited! I called Aunt Dot to tell her how proud I was. She knows how much I love my Christmas China.
Growing up I always heard of Aunt Dot and Uncle Archie’s travels and they always inspired me to see the world. Aunt Dot told me how much she loved that I liked to take my adventures. I know some of my wanderlust comes from my Godparents.
I am blessed that I have had them in my life, and thankful for the day Aunt Dot entered my mom’s shop and they became friends. They always made me feel so special and proud to be their Godchild. I am sad that I never got to take my trip to Arizona. I am heartbroken that my Aunt Dot is no longer with us, but I will rejoice that she is in Heaven and with Uncle Archie once again.

I love you very much, Aunt Dot!

I grew up without family close by, but I was the luckiest girl because I had people who chose to be my family. My Godparents, Aunt Dot and Uncle Archie, were two of my extended family members.
From my baptism to graduations, they were there. From phone calls when I got my Masters and Teacher of the Year. I can still hear Aunt Dot say, "Oh, I am so proud of you, honey."
I have so many memories filled with both of them. Going to Lake Lure is always at the top of my list. Evacuating for Hurricane Hugo and the other stories that go along with that trip, but that was Uncle Archie´s tale to tell and Aunt Dot´s to laugh at. We spent a 4th of July at the lake.
Laying on a pontoon boat, listening to the fireworks echoing through the mountains like cannons. They never seemed mind to have two kids, with boundless energy, running up and down the stairs, playing with the slot machine, or whatever mischief we could fine. They just loved on us and spoiled us. Youngs Mountain also knew of another group that loved to come up there for a good weekend away. If those houses could talk, we would be laughing for years! I never did get to go to Steeplechase, although growing up, I couldn´t wait to get old enough to go. I love the Supper Club group, L.O.B.S.! I was blessed to join one night of supper club on Mr. Larry´s boat, and I know right now there is a small supper club happening in Heaven.
Our families always got together at Christmas time. A favorite memory was when Aunt Dot got her jelly cabinet. She had seen it months earlier in a store and wanted to get it and Uncle Archie told her she didn´t need it. She tried and tried, but he kept putting her off. They left without the cabinet, but Uncle Arch snuck back to get it for her as a Christmas present. I don´t know why that story sticks out the most, but I told Aunt Dot that one day I would love to have that jelly cabinet, because I loved the story. Before she moved to Arizona she passed the jelly cabinet on to me, and I love it dearly. When I was 12 or 13 years old Aunt Dot wanted to start a collection for me that was from them. Every year at Christmas she gave me a couple of pieces of Spode Christmas China. Year after year she would hand me a gift and she would say "Now, I know you know what this is." And I did, and I loved it. I was probably the only teenager who loved getting China pieces at Christmas. Finally, one Christmas, I had enough dinner plates for my whole family to use. I was so excited! I called Aunt Dot to tell her how proud I was. She knows how much I love my Christmas China.
Growing up I always heard of Aunt Dot and Uncle Archie´s travels and they always inspired me to see the world. Aunt Dot told me how much she loved that I liked to take my adventures. I know some of my wanderlust comes from my Godparents.
I am blessed that I have had them in my life, and thankful for the day Aunt Dot entered my mom´s shop and they became friends. They always made me feel so special and proud to be their Godchild. I am sad that I never got to take my trip to Arizona. I am heartbroken that my Aunt Dot is no longer with us, but I will rejoice that she is in Heaven and with Uncle Archie once again.

I love you very much, Aunt Dot!

Dot was a very kind, sweet, generous and loving lady and she was a lady in the purest sense of the word.
Her passing tears a hole in my heart but knowing that she is in a better place somewhat comforts me. Her final resting place will be with her beloved husband Archie that she lovingly spoke of often.