Dorothy R. Upton, 87, returned to her heavenly home on May 26, 2020 after a valiant battle with a long illness. Her devotion to her family and her firm belief in God supported her in her struggle and ultimately gave her peace.
Dorothy was born to the late Louis and Ethel Riggs, a farmer and a homemaker respectively, in Marked Tree, AR on March 6, 1933. Dorothy was baptized at a very early age and was a devoted Christian all her life. Dorothy quit school at a young age. She was needed at home to help her grandmother Rilda Riggs with household chores and taking care of her younger sisters; Ruby Christine and baby sister Mary Louise after their mother’s untimely death. As an adolescent Dorothy also worked alongside her father and brother Leon on the family’s small farm. At the age of sixteen, Dorothy married her childhood sweetheart Jack Lee Gatlin. In time, the two were blessed with three children, a girl Susan Marie and two sons Danny Allen and Shawn Richard. The family had many wonderfully happy years together until Jack became ill and Dorothy lost her childhood sweetheart to colon cancer. In time Dorothy married again; this time to William Harold Upton. Harold was a kind and gentle Christian man that loved her and her children very much. Unfortunately, Dorothy was to know heartbreak again; when she lost her second husband to a sudden heart attack. Dorothy loved children. She not only raised her own, but helped raise her grandchildren and half the neighborhood kids as well. She was a very sweet and gentle little Southern lady. She was an excellent cook, made the best sweet tea you ever tasted; made everyone feel right at home. She was an artist who loved flowers, butterflies and hummingbirds.
Dorothy is survived by her sister Mary Louise Davis; her daughter Susan Varner and her sons Danny Gatlin and Shawn Gatlin. Her grandchildren; John Zardo ll, Shannon Black, Shannyne Tamayo, Kara Kerber, Paul Rosales, Kimberlina Johnson and many much loved great-grand children, nieces and nephews. Dorothy is preceded in death by her brother Leon Riggs; her sister Ruby Crisel and her parents.
Dorothy’s Urn will be at her daughter Susan’s home.
Susan asks that you contact her to set up private visitations in her home. Prayers, condolences and memories are gladly accepted at www.lislefuneralhome.com.
FAMILY
Susan VarnerDaughter
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