THOMAS, DOROTHY ELIZABETH “D0TTY” Sept. 6, 1943-July 22, 2024
Dotty was gifted with powers of quiet leadership, a caring heart for others, a radiant smile, and a beautiful soul. Dotty retired in 2002 from her career as a Spanish teacher in Richmond, Virginia. Upon retirement, she and her husband moved from Richmond to Sarasota to live in her parent’s original family home in 2004. Dotty graduated from Sarasota High School in 1961. Subsequently, she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Spanish literature from Florida State University, and finished all but her dissertation towards a Ph. D. Later, she also earned her master’s in management degree from Houston Baptist College. She taught Spanish at all educational levels from middle school to college. Her rewarding career took her to Concordia College in Minnesota, Auburn University, and to further secondary education appointments in Houston and Richmond.
Last May 23, she and her husband celebrated their 55th Anniversary. Dotty’s favorite place in the entire world was Siesta Key beach. She was an avid gardener, preferring flowers. Her favorites were the Bird of Paradise, roses, and orchids. Dotty organized the GOSH Girls, or Girls of Sarasota High, a group of fellow classmates from the SHS class of ’61, who met for monthly social lunch dates for over a decade until the present. She was active in several book clubs with a special interest in the Manasota Interracial Book Club. She and her husband loved to travel to other countries exploring and enjoying international cultures.
Dotty is survived by her loving husband, David A. Thomas of Sarasota; her brother Ken Clark, Jr, of Arcadia, Fl.; her son and his wife, Chris and Jeanneth Thomas of Richmond, Va. and grandson, Brandon Thomas, of Richmond. She also leaves behind extended family members including several aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and their respective families. Dotty is also survived by her Aunt Anna Antemann of Johnstown, Pa., and her cousin Christina Antemann, of Joseph, Oregon. These three were closer than sisters.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth A. and Virginia B. Clark of Sarasota. Mr. Clark was the Sarasota County Agricultural Extension Director for many years.
At her death, she was a faithful and active member of Peace Presbyterian Church in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, for which she and her husband were founding members in 2006.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in her memory be made to STREAM—-Stronger Together Reaching Equality Across Manatee—an interfaith justice ministry of Peace Church. Please send memorials to: STREAM, c/o Palmetto Presbyterian Church, 1115 10th Ave. W., Palmetto, Florida 34221.
