Dorothy Orndoff McGaugh

Dorothy Orndoff McGaugh (Dot) was called home by her Lord and Savior on Monday, August 24 with her family by her side. A devoted servant to the Lord and to her family, she joins her husband Neal, daughters Becky and Laura and son Jerry for a glorious reunion.

Born in Iola, Kansas on September 29, 1934, Dot spent her childhood in Fayetteville, Arkansas with her four brothers and two sisters. Her father was a pastor in the Church of the Nazarene, of which Dot and her late husband Neal were lifelong members. They were immersed in all aspects of church life until failing health prevented them from participating as actively.

It was at church in Fayetteville that Dot met University of Arkansas engineering student Neal McGaugh, who was smitten by the tall brunette and brazenly pronounced on an early date that one day she would be his wife. He was very persistent and she finally accepted his proposal and made his prediction a reality.

Neal’s service in the Air Force brought them to Alexandria, LA where he served as an Industrial Engineer and Dot became a mother of four children and a homemaker. Later she would work in administration for the Rapides Parish and St. Charles Parish School Boards.

Despite the challenges of caring for two handicapped daughters as well as her two sons, Dot always kept service to the Lord and to the church foremost in her life. She and Neal both served in multiple capacities in the church and shared a special passion for mission service. Dot and Neal went on mission trips abroad to Rwanda, Haiti and the Dominican Republic and were active in the Gideons and prison ministries. Dot was also a mentor to numerous young women in the church who had challenges in their lives, “adopting” them and helping guide them through their struggles into a life centered on Christ and the church.

Dot had the soul of an artist and enjoyed painting and crafts. Her specialty was the making of exquisite porcelain dolls, from the painting of their faces to the making of custom clothes to fit their bodies. She was game to take on almost any artistic challenge with her keen eye, nimble hands and soft touch. She leaves behind a beautiful legacy of dolls for her family to cherish for generations to come.

Dot loved to cook for her family, especially her two grandsons, whom she lived to see graduate from college and marry the loves of their lives. She was especially overjoyed a year ago by the birth of her great granddaughter, Molly. Although stricken by a major stroke 12 years ago, Dot fought to her last breath to live, filled with curiosity about what great adventure life would bring her way next.

Dot was preceded in death by her husband Neal, daughters Becky and Laura, son Jerry and her parents and six siblings. She is survived by her son Michael, daughter-in-law and best friend Jane, grandsons Andrew (Krista), James (Lindsey) and great granddaughter Molly.

Visitation will be at the First Church of the Nazarene, 9955 Old Hammond Hwy. on Tuesday, September 1 at 9 am, Memorial Service at 10 am. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Ball, LA. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the First Church of the Nazarene, the Butterfly Wing of Baton Rouge Hospice or a charity of your choosing.