Dot, 79, passed away Thursday, July 7, 2022, at Wilora Lakes Healthcare Center. She was in the devoted care of Hospice and the nursing staff at Wilora Lakes. Loving members of her family were with her on Thursday to say goodbye.
Born May 2, 1943, in Rossville, GA, Dot was one of 13 children born to Homer and Ida Mae Painter. She grew up in the shadow of Lookout Mountain where she began starting her family at a very young age spending many years on military bases growing with and raising her children. When she returned to Rossville she began to work in the textile and manufacturing industry. Through this very hard work she became an extremely strong and independent woman, some even referring to her as “feisty” with a definite mind of her own. Her second marriage took her to Harrisburg, NC and then on to Chester, SC, where she made a home for herself and her loved ones.
While Dot’s work schedule would not afford her the opportunity to attend church on a regular basis, she was a woman of faith. She always believed Angels were watching over her and her family and, on many occasions, had her own conversations with God. Gospel music was her favorite and she found great comfort in this music in her later years.
One of Dot’s favorite things to do was to spend the weekends at flea markets and yard sales looking for special treasures. She loved gardening and sharing the fruits and vegetables she grew with friends and loved ones. Dot fulfilled a lifelong dream of graduating from high school at the age of 61, when she completed her schooling and received her diploma. Even though she was retired by that time, she then took a restaurant hostess position just because she wanted to meet new people and be out in the world.
In December 2017 she moved to Charlotte to live with her son and daughter-in-law. This brought her back home and close to the family she started in 1960. Dot is survived by her four children Steve Vaughn and Ronnie Vaughn of Charlotte, Crystal Stevenson of Chester, SC, and Mike Vaughn. Dot has 12 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. She was very proud of her children and the families they raised. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were the apple of her eye. Dot is also survived by her sister Thelma to whom she was very close and loved dearly.
Dot requested a non-traditional service so in her honor a Celebration of Life gathering will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, July 16, 2022, at McEwen Funeral Service – Pineville Chapel at 10500 Park Road, Charlotte NC 28210. Family will receive friends in a special gathering room to share in their memories of life, laughter and growing up with Dot.
For those wishing to send flowers please send to McEwen Funeral Service, or you may consider a memorial gift to Hospice & Palliative Care, Charlotte Region (www.hpccr.org).
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com for the Wilson family.
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