She was born in Union, South Carolina, on October 7, 1952. Dottie’s father is Foster Evans Mobley. Her father predeceased her on October 1, 1981. Dottie’s mother is Mary Louise Mobley. Louise predeceased Dottie this past August 7, 2020, having lived, within four months of, 100 years in age.
Dottie attended A. C. Flora High School, in Columbia South Carolina, graduating in June 1970, having been a member of the school orchestra and marching band for four years.
She attended the University of South Carolina from September 1970 until May 1974, in which she graduated, with a bachelor’s degree, in Education, with a minor in French.
Dottie taught English and French Classes at Newberry High School for one school year, before enrolling in the University of South Carolina School of Law. She attended the University of South Carolina School of Law, from September 1975, until May 1978 at which time she received her Juris Doctorate degree.
Dottie had the privilege of serving as a law clerk to the Honorable Rodney A. Peeples, Circuit Court Judge, of the Second Judicial Circuit from 1978 to 1979.
Following her clerkship, she entered the private practice of law, with the firm of Yarborough, Fallon & Mobley in Florence, South Carolina. From 1979 to 1983, Dottie engaged in the general practice of law, which included civil cases, with emphasis on, family law, medical tort malpractice and products liability.
In 1983, she associated with the law firm of Harvey L. Golden, P. A., and began what would then become a life-long specialization in the practice of Family law.
In 1994, Dottie and Ken A. Lester, Esquire, formed the law firm of Lester & Jones, which specialized in Family law, and served clients throughout the state of South Carolina.
In February 2005, she was elected by the legislature of the State of South Carolina, to the position of Family Court Judge, in the Fifth Circuit, of the State of South Carolina.
Dottie regarded her election to this position as an honor and a sacred opportunity to serve. She believed the judicial branch of government was a hallmark of our democracy, in which people were able to settle grievances peaceably and in a civil manner. She recognized the court room can be an intimidating environment for lawyers and litigants and she went out of her way to show respect, kindness, and patience to everyone who appeared before her.
Her actions were not lost upon the people who appeared in her courtroom and upon the people who staffed and operated the courts.
For many years, attorneys, litigants, and court staff personnel would thank her, in person, and in written notes, for the kindness and respect she showed to them in her courtroom.
Dottie retired from the court on December 1, 2018. She immediately proceeded to start a mediation practice, which would allow litigants an opportunity to expedite the resolution of their conflicts.
During her legal career, she served on the S.C. Bar Joint Commission on ADR/Family Court, the South Carolina Bar Association, the Richland County Bar Association, the Horry County Bar Association, the South Carolina Trial Lawyers’ association and the South Carolina’s Women’s Bar Association.
Dottie has been an advocate and teacher of the law, to other lawyers, for the past 30 years. She has moderated and participated, as a guest lecturer, in numerous continuing legal seminars sponsored by the South Carolina Bar Association, including "Hot Tips" and the annual “Year End” Bench/Bar seminars for domestic practitioners. She has been a repeat presenter with the “Bridge the Gap” program and “Orientation for New Judges School.”
By invitation, she has served on the committees for the Chief Justice's Docket Management Task Force and the Commission on the Profession. Dottie also served on the Family Court Judges Advisory Committee and is a past Chair of the Family Law Executive Council. For years, she served as a member of the Judicial Qualifications Committee. She was recently a speaker for the Attorney General’s Office at the “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” seminar emphasizing best practices for young lawyers.
Dottie has been extended the privilege, on numerous occasions, of sitting with, and serving, on both the South Carolina Court of Appeals and the South Carolina Supreme Court, in the deliberation of cases before those courts.
She received honors from her peers in the practice of law. She was recognized in Best Trial Lawyers in America for 2005-2006.
She was the recipient of the Matthew J. Perry Civility Award in 2014.
In 2015, Dottie received the Buchan, Brown & Jacobs Award, given in recognition of her Family Court service, by the other men and women in the State who serve on the Family Court bench.
At the time of Dottie’s retirement, in November 2018, she was interviewed for an article in a South Carolina Bar Association publication and asked what she regarded as the highlight of her judicial service. She replied that it was helping neglected or abused children, and in seeking to create stability in their lives. She sought to do this through adoptions and working closely with lawyers to find creative solutions to achieve the best results for the children. This sentiment was indicative of the virtues of compassion, kindness, respect, and civility that she possessed and extended to everyone she met in her life.
She is survived by her son Fendley, her only child, who was born on June 21, 1991. Fendley currently lives in Charleston, South Carolina and is engaged in the real estate management business.
Dottie is survived by numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews, many of whom she housed, for various periods of time, and shared lifelong holidays and vacations with.
A graveside service will be held Sunday, January 24, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. in Crescent Hill Memorial Gardens. Friends may also join a Livestream of the service starting at 3:00 p.m., on Dunbar Funeral Home – Devine’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DunbarDevine/videos/126025226036410
Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com
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