Dorothy “Dottie” Jean Bonds Acaldo was born on January 4, 1944 in Kosciusko, MS and died after a long battle with dementia on August 2nd in Baton Rouge. A young Dottie was a huge fan of another Mississippian named Elvis. Along with her younger siblings, Sharon and James, she rocked around the country with her parents Christine and “BB” Bonds in the family timber business. From Mississippi to Oregon and then to Baton Rouge, she developed a love for new and exciting things. After high school graduation, Dottie began working at the LA State Welfare Department. As the end of 1964 approached, Dottie was invited to a special New Year’s Eve party where she met the love of her life, Jay Acaldo. It was love at first sight, and before you know it, they were happily married for 58 years. Dottie’s faith was strengthened when she became a Catholic in 1965. She was blessed to have Monsignor Stanley Ott provide her instructions on the faith when she joined the Church. Bishop Ott continued to stay close to the family, and served as her spiritual role model until the end of her life. Dottie could be described by many words, but the best are mother and grandmother – she was the BEST! She was known for her love of Christmas so much so that Santa stopped at her house every year for her children, Michael and Michelle, even after they turned 30. Her grandchildren, Miranda, Madison, Lexi and Josh were the center of her life. She loved them so very much. Dottie is survived by her loving family: her husband, Joseph “Jay” Acaldo, her children, Michael J. Acaldo (wife, Paula) and Michelle Acaldo Langlois (husband, Jeff), and her grandchildren Miranda Acaldo, Madison Acaldo Holden (husband, Benjamin), Alexis “Lexi” Langlois and Joshua J. Langlois. Preceded in death by her parents, Christine Stringer Bonds and Blondell “BB” Bonds, she leaves behind her siblings Sharon Bonds Ivanyiski and James Bonds (wife, Kandi), and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation for Dottie will be at St. Aloysius Catholic Church on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 from 9:00 -10:30 am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am. Interment will be at St. George Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a financial gift in her memory to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, P.O. Box 127, BR, LA 70821-0127 or at svdpbr.org.
