Dorothy J. Barksdale

Dorothy Jean Barksdale, 88, born August 29,1933, in Durham, NC, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 2, 2022, at her home in Merritt Island, FL. Dorothy was born into a large family of five sisters and four brothers in Durham, NC. There she met her husband, Ralph H. Barksdale, of 58 years. Together they moved to Florida in 1957 where they loved the Florida lifestyle and long walks on the beach. They both worked at Kennedy Space Center with Ralph eventually retiring after 46 years with NASA as an electrical engineer. After working for several years at Kennedy Space Center, Dorothy decided to leave the workforce as they started their family.

In addition to her stay-at-home duties, active lifestyle and hard work ethic, Dorothy explored a hobby of ceramics. Her love of ceramics evolved into a full-time successful business of 50 years, Dorothy’s Ceramic Studio, located in the Cocoa Village area. Dorothy was a naturally talented artist and created beautiful ceramics with her unique designs and techniques. She taught classes and was very involved in the community donating her time and ceramic supplies to the local schools and Brevard Achievement Center working with special needs children.

Dorothy is survived by her two daughters, Tamra B. Watson and husband, Dempsey, of Atlantic Beach, NC and Tanya M. Shirer and husband, Eric of Merritt Island, FL; two grandchildren, Daniel Anthony Bears of Apopka, FL and Jonathan Taylor Bears of Viera, FL. She is also survived by her sister, Sue Murray of Raleigh, NC, in addition to numerous nephews and nieces in NC and other states.

Dorothy was predeceased by her loving husband, Ralph in July 2010 and their identical twin boys which were lost after their birth. She was also predeceased by her sisters, Ruby Rhew of Durham, NC, Elsie Rigsbee of Raleigh, NC, Jane Sturdivant of Chapel Hill, NC, and Valinda Walker of Raleigh, NC; her brothers, Grover Whitaker Jr. of Durham, NC, Norman Whitaker of Durham, NC, Bill Whitaker of Zebulon, NC, and Ronnie Whitaker of Durham, NC.

Services for Dorothy’s Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, April 24, 2022, at 2pm at Wylie-Baxley Funeral Home, 1360 N. Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island, FL 32953.