Dorothy F. Weaver

CHAPIN - Dorothy Faye Weaver, born February 25, 1929 in Channing, Texas and passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 18, 2017 in Columbia, South Carolina. She was the daughter of the late Ernest and Mildred Buffington McLaughlin. She was a humble servant of God who loved her Lord and Savior and lived a life of service for helping others.

Dorothy grew up on several farms and ranches in west Texas, New Mexico, and east Texas. After high school, she attended East Texas State University where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in health and physical education. She went on to earn a Master’s Degree from the University of Oklahoma in elementary education.

Before marriage she taught elementary education at Carlisle Independent School District in Carlisle, Texas, and high school physical education in Carthage, Texas.

In 1951, Dorothy married Colonel Gene Allen Weaver (now retired). No matter where Dorothy landed in her travels as a supportive military spouse, she always sought to help others in need. Dorothy was an active member of the Officer’s Wives Club and other military family and soldier support programs. Dorothy was also an accomplished seamstress and volunteered to sew costumes for the University of Colorado theater group. While in McAllen, Texas, she and a group of volunteer “snowbirds” gleaned produce from large vegetable farms for the poor and downtrodden. In Killeen, Texas, she volunteered weekly at the Killeen food bank feeding the hungry. She was a long time member of East Side Baptist Church where she served as Assistant Church Treasurer and participated in several church related organizations. She was a member of Gideon’s International where she served as auxiliary president for several years.

A strong and committed woman, Dorothy was diagnosed with breast cancer in the mid 1980's. Despite undergoing rigorous chemotherapy, she continued to teach at a Christian school in south Texas. Dorothy will forever be remembered as a fountain of strength, a teacher, and a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.

In addition to her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by her son, retired Colonel Brett Harold Weaver, and her three sisters, Margaret Driggers, Helen Ferguson, and Lucy Lee McLaughlin.

Dorothy is survived by her husband of 66 years, retired Colonel Gene Allen Weaver; her son, retired Colonel Kurt Allen Weaver (wife Debbi); daughter-in-law, Susan Weaver; brother, Paul McLaughlin (wife Millie) and two sisters, Lois Ferguson (husband Boyd) and Joyce Bayless (husband Fred, now deceased). Additionally, she will be greatly missed by her grandchildren, Aubrey Wood (husband Todd), Madelyn Weaver, Chad Weaver (wife Anna), Derek Weaver (wife Ksenia), Clint Weaver, and Ally Rivers (husband Parker) and great grandchildren from oldest to youngest Ava Kate, Thomas, Charlotte, Caroline, Damian, and Elizabeth.

Dorothy’s memorial service will be held at Chapin Baptist Church in Chapin, South Carolina on Sunday May 21 at 3:00 p.m. Visitation will immediately follow the service until 4:30 p.m. Burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia on a date TBA.

Memorials may be made in Dorothy’s memory to Gideon’s International, P.O. Box 97251, Washington DC 20090.

Flower arrangements may be sent to Caughman Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel, located at 503 North Lake Drive, Lexington, South Carolina 29072.

www.caughmanharmanfuneralhome.net