Katherine Margaret “Kathy” Dotson

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Ms. Katherine Margaret “Kathy” Dotson, 71, died Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Baptist Memorial Hospital – North Mississippi. The memorial service will be Friday, May 17, 2024, at 2:00 P.M. at First Baptist Church with Rev. Don Gann officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 12:30 P.M.

Kathy was born on April 7, 1953, in Greenwood, MS, to the late Eileen Crocker and David T. Dotson. A graduate of Mississippi State University, Kathy’s time in Starkville shaped who she was as a person and were some of the best years of her life. As a majorette and member of Chi Omega Sorority, she developed lifelong friendships and was deeply committed to her XO sisterhood. She graduated with her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education, and began her teaching career in Arkansas. While Kathy loved her students, she felt that something was missing in her life, and took the brave step to leave teaching to begin a career as a flight attendant first with Eastern Airlines, Northwest Airlines, and eventually Delta Air Lines. For the 34 years that followed, she was gifted with the ability to travel the world, enjoying stopovers in cities and countries she’d never dreamed she’d visit. She developed a special love for China, always eager to work the long flights that would allow her to visit, if only for a few hours. No matter where Kathy found herself, her bright and loving personality drew others towards her, making friends with her passengers and with people she met all over the world. She always kept in touch with her fellow flight attendants, who’d gather for monthly lunches to catch up.

The only thing that rivaled her love for her alma mater was her love for First Baptist Church of Oxford. Kathy held a special place in her heart for her church and the wonderful family she found there. She was a member of Karis I Sunday school class, where she held many close friends, and they’d gather often outside of church to play rounds of her favorite card game, Hand and Foot. Kathy enjoyed OPC’s Leisure Lifestyle classes, and especially loved visiting the pool to swim. She led a full life, with friends both new and old, but little could compare to the love she had for her family. As the designated planner of holidays and family gatherings, Kathy was always the one who made sure they always got together. While she was organizer of every event, she was always the last to arrive, though her tardiness was soon forgiven once everyone tasted the delicious dishes she’d prepared. In between holidays and birthdays, Kathy still made time for visits and dinners together. Somehow, they’d always end up at Mugshots, and without fail, every time Kathy would proudly announce to the table that she had a coupon. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved dog, Puckett, who was her faithful companion for many years.

Kathy was incredibly grateful to the team of doctors that cared for her in Oxford, Memphis, and at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Kathy is survived by her sisters, Debbie Swindoll and her husband, Arliss, of Oxford, MS and Diane Mims and her husband, Bob, of Oxford, MS; a brother, David Dotson, Jr. of Memphis, TN; two nieces, Meg Swindoll Cochran (Chris) of Oxford, MS and Mandy Serna (James) of Phoenix, AZ; two nephews, Will Swindoll of Oxford, MS and David Mims (Teri) of Oxford, MS; a great-nephew, Braden Mims; four great-nieces, Hadley Mims, Kate Cochran, Eliza Cochran, and Maggie Cochran; and one great-niece on the way.

Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Kathy’s memory may be made to her beloved church, First Baptist Church of Oxford, 800 Van Buren Avenue, Oxford, Mississippi 38655, or online at https://giving.ncsservices.org/App/Giving/gotofirst.