Dorothy Erline Whitton

Dorothy Erline Whitton, 82, of Canton, Texas passed from this earthly life on August 25, 2025 in Burleson, Texas. What she had known by faith for many years is now her reality. She was born in Kaufman County, Texas on September 10, 1942, to George Rasco Lightfoot and Mary Boyd Lightfoot.

A service celebrating her life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 4, 2025 at Eubank Funeral Home. A visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Dorothy was born into a farming family and was the middle of seven children. She had a hardworking ethic and a servant’s heart often getting up late at night to prepare a meal for her older brother when he came in from work. She strived to pass this on to her children and grandchildren. She graduated as the Salutatorian at Scurry-Rosser High School in 1960 and began working as a bookkeeper at 1st National Bank in downtown Dallas. She met her one true love, Bobby Whitton, when she was set up on a blind date by her classmate (his cousin). They married on October 21, 1960 and had 59 years together. Dorothy was a faithful member of the Church of Christ and was obedient to the gospel at the age of 14. In her childhood, they would often walk to the church building and were grateful for the times when a neighbor would give them a ride in their wagon. As an adult, she was an example to all of that “meek and quiet spirit that is precious in the sight of the Lord” and was a huge support to her husband, as he served as an elder in the Lord’s church. Over the last 25 years, Dorothy was active in the Whitton community serving as treasurer for the Whitton Community Center and working the fundraisers for both the community center and the Whitton Volunteer Fire Department.

After having two children and moving to Lancaster, she fulfilled her most important role of wife and mother, which brought her joy and kept her busy caring for her family. Her lullabies were gospel hymns – most often “Love Lifted Me”. She was active in the PTA and 4-H clubs and did find time to work in the cafeteria where her daughters attended school, becoming known as the “French Fry Lady”. When the girls were older and her husband opened an appliance sales and service business, she served as his customer service rep, scheduler, dispatcher, salesperson, bookkeeper, inventory orderer and courier and “chief bottle-washer” – more like the cleaner of all the used appliances that he would repair and re-sell. After selling the business 25 years ago, they moved back to the family home place and built a small home there.

Though her outside body was frail, she was determined to keep pressing on, not allowing her limitations to stop her from living a good life and serving others. Dorothy suffered for about 50 years with severe Rheumatoid Arthritis but still found joy in tending her garden and flower beds. She canned or froze what she grew and was known for the best purple hull peas around. She shared generously with others- both her food and flowers. Many local gardens have benefited from flowers she dug up and gave away. In her spare time, she sewed clothes, did embroidery work, read and collected all the cobalt blue glass she could find. Dorothy dearly loved the Lord and her family. The best days were days with family (both physical and spiritual) and good conversations, which included her witty sense of humor.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Rasco and Mary Lightfoot; beloved husband, Bobby Whitton; siblings: Elizabeth Green, Chuck Lightfoot, Evelyn Chamberlain, James Lightfoot; sister-in-law, Millie Lightfoot; brother-in-law, Johnny Green.

Dorothy is survived by her daughters: Bettye (Steve) Locklair and Rebecca Whitton; grandchildren, Andrew (Jennifer) Locklair and Faith Locklair; brothers: John Lightfoot, Troy (Linda Sue) Lightfoot; sisters-in-law, EmmaLou Lightfoot and Susie Whitton; brother-in-law, Gerald Chamberlain; aunt, Etta Mae Wright; a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that her grandchildren thought were family.

Dorothy will be laid to rest next to her beloved, Bobby, at Tarver Cemetery in Van Zandt County, Texas.