Dottie Blankenship Shuford
1931- 2022
Gastonia – Dottie Jean Blankenship Shuford, 90, loving wife, mother, and Maw-Maw went to be with the Lord on March 7, 2022, with her daughter and son-in-law by her side.
She was born in Gaston County on October 31, 1931, to the late Grover and Sallie Bollinger Blankenship. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband of 62 years, Leon K. "Chick" Shuford; son, Kenneth D. Shuford, grandson, Kenny "Chum" Shuford; and granddaughter, Sidney Bowen; 2 brothers, Dennis Blankenship and Spratt Blankenship; sister, Bonnie Sherrill.
Dottie was a 1950 graduate of Gastonia High School. She had a strong faith. Dottie loved the Lord, her family, church, and community. She was a lifelong member of Maylo United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir and served in many areas. She retired from Gaston County Parks & Recreation in 1994 with over 20 years of dedicated service. As the Program Coordinator, she was very involved in senior activities. She organized the "Happy Feet" Square Dance Team, Gaston County Clown Arounds, May Fest Beauty Pagent, dances, and much more during her career. She was very active in her community serving on the Ranlo Board of Commissioners and the Recreation Community. She loved children and always worked to ensure there were nice playground facilities and activities for the children. Serving others was very important to her, she was once quoted as saying "Helping make others happy is my Reward." That is who she was!
Left to cherish her memories includes her daughter, Audrey Jordan, and husband Paul; grandson, Brian Mitchell and wife Amy, daughter-in-law, Lou Ann Shuford, granddaughter, Lisa Bowen; great-grandchildren, Luke Mitchell, Drew Mitchell, Abbey Bowen, Jaiden Shuford, and Braylan Shuford; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 1:30 until 2:00 p.m., Thursday, March 10th at Maylo United Methodist Church with a 2:00 p.m., Celebration of Life Service to follow with Rev. Brian Mitchell and Reverend Mark Etchinson officiating. Private Entombment will be at Gaston Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Darby Sherrill, Luke Mitchell, Drew Mitchell, Jaiden Shuford, and Braylan Shuford.
The family extends a special thanks to the staff of STLC for the exceptional care they provided and also to Hospice.
Memorials may be made to Maylo United Methodist Church, 1900 Spencer Mountain Road, Gastonia, NC 28054 and/or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Post Office Box 3704, Memphis, TN 38101 www.stjude.org
Condolences may be made to www.withersandwhisenantfuneral.com
Withers and Whisenant Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 2916 Union Road, Gastonia 704-864-5144 is serving the Family.