Dorothy Mae Miner Meyers

She was a perfect mix of levity, joy of living, and adoration of God. She's an artist who taught us to look again at the world, because we obviously missed some of the beauty that she observed at first glance. She measured snow stacked neatly on branches, noted and described the various leaves of flowers, teaching us how they differed. And flowers? I wish you could have seen the range of colors she painted them (literally, as she was a porcelain artist and teacher of the fine art). Easily, she was the most creative person I have ever known.

Dot’s mom, Mary Griffin Miner had been born in Missouri on a farm and had been a teacher and a nurse. Dot’s father, Warren Ross Miner had been called into the ministry as a young man. Dot’s parents were married in 1920, and had 3 girls: Joy born in 21, Dorothy in 22, And Esther in 25. Both Joy and Esther preceded Dot in death.

Dot’s parents were pastors in the Pilgrim Holiness Church, first in Pasadena California. Dot’s parents pastored in various churches, and Joy remembers her parents once being paid $5.00 for two weeks’ work. In 1927, the Miners were called as missionaries to the Isle of Pines, Cuba. They sold their car in order to purchase tickets and rode (steerage and seasick) in the bottom of the large ship to their mission field. Their luggage arrived weeks later. There, Dot’s family of origin lived in a barn with “natural air conditioning and plenty of bats”. Her dad traveled and spoke in other parts of the island while Dot’s mom became the local missionary, even preaching. It was during this period of time that both Joy and Dot were saved and baptized as they lined up by the river with the nationals. The river was infested with crocodiles so watchmen were posted during the baptism. It was during this time that Dot (due to the families’ daily diet of lobster) vowed that she would never ever in her lifetime eat lobster again. She did not.

After their mission work the family moved back to Arcadia, California. Dot and Paul (whose parents worked at the Pilgrim Bible College) both attended Reese Memorial Pilgrim Holiness Church, where they met at age 15 and were merely friends when Paul shipped out to the service. Dot wrote Paul during the war. She also wrote a few other men in the service and two other men were smitten enough to propose, but Dot told us later, that she was waiting on Paul. Paul flew P-51 Mustangs during WWII, returned from the war drove to Dot Miner's house, the girl he had known, only as a casual friend at church, but had written to for 3 years during the war. He rang the door bell and when she answered the doorbell he kissed her. She told us a few years ago, "I might forget a kiss, but I'll never forget THAT kiss!" They were engaged three weeks later, married a couple of months after that.

Paul preceded Dot in death. Dot was widowed in 2010.

When Dot and Paul married, Dot bragged that they were the RING LEADERS. By that she meant that the denomination in which they had been raised, forbade rings to be worn by church members, even wedding rings. After the ceremony, Dot and Paul quietly exchanged rings outside the church. Dot said that she was “asked” to take the ring off by a church leader, but declined, thus becoming the “ring leader”.

When they first married, Dot and Paul lived in a 12 foot trailer that had with no running water. Dot learned to cook on a kerosene pump-up stove/oven, walked outside to the trailer park bath house to shower. In that bathhouse, she lost the “engagement watch” that Paul had given her, wept over it, and a few years later, Paul replaced the watch. About their humble beginnings in the trailer, Dot told me numerous times, “I just wanted to be married to Paul.”

Barry Ross Meyers was born on April 28, 1949 and a year later, EXACTLY to the day, April 28, 1950, Dennis Lee Meyers was born. Paul and Dot moved to Phoenix around this time and purchased the house on Monte Vista Drive. Vickie Lynn Meyers Hackworth was born five years after Denny. Dennis Meyers preceded his mom in death one and a half years ago.

These are thing things that Dot excelled at:

Dot was a loving wife, always striving to please and even serve Paul. She would jump up from the table and run to the kitchen to get Paul something to drink or eat. He’d never really ASK FOR ANYTHING….he’d always say, “Some coffee would really taste good right about now.” She’d kid back, “It would, huh?” and then, UP Dot would jump and bring him some coffee. He’d always respond with, “MMM, That’s good, babe.”

Dot was a great cook, and could stretch a dollar like none other. The kids were introduced early to a variety of foods that Dot could get at a good price and make appetizing. When Paul worked at Fridenmaker Farms, Dot cooked the vegetables Paul grew there -- sweet potatoes for example, every way imaginable. She was always trying new recipes and cooking for crowds of people. There never was a potluck at church that the Meyers’ did not attend.

Dot and Paul faithfully taught a Sunday School class at Monte Vista Church of the Nazarene that became family. The Bible lessons from soft spoken Paul and parties planned by fun-loving Dot were legendary. There never was a church service that the Meyer’s did not participate in. Dot sang in the choir with Paul, and always worked with church kids – JET CADETS! Dot taught missionary lessons. Later, Dot and Paul would travel internationally to help with mission projects in various countries. She helped in the kitchen and Paul always worked in construction. Dot’s creativity knew no limits. Back in the day when REAL Vacation Bible School existed (smile), when crafts were made from empty bottles, and scraps of yarn, Dot would always come up with the best crafts, and she had a habit of keeping those VBS crafts….. for.ever. (NOT JUST ABOUT FOREVER, but seriously for Dot Meyers’ forever! They’re yours now, Vickie! – smile) Dot was a great seamstress, and crafted many gifts for her children and grandkids.

Dot was a loving wife, a devoted and fun mom and an excellent and faithful friend. Rena, YOU and Meme Hill were her best friends. She would retell stories to me of your adventures – especially the early camping days when the Fridenmakers and the Meyers would go camping in those old canvas tents in the Arizona White Mountains, and the women would cook EVERY SINGLE morsel of food that the family ate …outdoors and on a Coleman stove. Dot would tell of legendary rainfalls, ROOK card games, and animals in the campsite. Always, her humor and her ability to look on the bright side of situations will be remembered. There is something about Dot that always made me want to be like Dot.

Dot became interested in China painting in 1978. I know the date because I was with her when we happened onto a China painting seminar in Colorado. She returned home, signed up for a few classes and before a couple of years passed, she became a professional china Painter and taught lessons and seminars for over 30 years. Her students became her friends. Her friends and relatives became the recipients of her beautifully painted china.

I met Dot in 1970, when Bear flew me out to meet his parents soon after we began dating. Our conversation began that morning over breakfast and it just did not stop – ever! There never was a moment that she did not have my whole heart; and I found myself wishing often that she were my age, so I would have my entire life to enjoy her friendship. Her self-deprecating humor has never been equaled, nor will it ever be. That woman – Hear Me Now, could laugh! And she could laugh at herself delightfully.

Dot unconditionally loved her children: Barry, Denny, and Vickie. Dot was kind, encouraging, participating in school events and homework assignments with them. When they took off for college, Dot began part time jobs to help with family expenses, mainly child care for the Warneke kids (Robert and Marga) in her home.

When her three kids married, Dot’s love included the three mates of her kids: Barry’s wife – me, Dennis’ wife Debbie and Vickie’s husband Dennis.

Her grandchildren:

Ross, Maren, Griffin and Sterling from Barry and Brenda

Ashton, Tyler, and Hannah from Dennis and Debbie

Breanna from Vickie and Dennis.

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Dot’s three children adored Dot and knew Dot loved them.

Dot’s eight grandchildren adored Dot and knew Dot loved them.

Dot’s great grandchildren either know or will be told of Dot’s unconditional love, her fairness, her integrity, her generosity, her humor.

Yes, Dot Meyers was a mom-in-law like none other, a perfect mix of levity, joy of living, and adoration of God. Today she walks on streets of gold. Her hope is in the Triune God of the Universe who sovereignly provided the substitutionary atonement for her sins in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ -- whose sacrificial death provided for her eternal life. We are walking right behind you, Dot, and Oh! That we might walk worthy.