Velma Dowty

Mrs. Velma Lorraine Sanders Dowty “Granny”, 86 of Lexington, NC, entered Heaven’s gates on April 28, 2021.  Lorraine was born on November 19, 1934, to the late Jacob Richard Sanders and Rubey Lorraine Willis Sanders.  She was born in the Oklahoma State Capitol Building in Oklahoma City, where her mother was touring when she went into labor.  During her childhood, Lorraine moved with her family from Oklahoma to Los Angeles, California, following the Great Depression.  During those years she survived illnesses from tuberculosis and polio.  She eventually returned to Oklahoma and a beautiful new adventure unfolded when she met her beloved Coy Dean Dowty “Papa”.  They were married on Dec 6, 1954, in McAllen, Texas.  Together they lived in Texas, and then Oklahoma, following the work her husband did as a geologist.  During her married life and with three young daughters at home, she attended Central State University in Edmond, OK.  Lorraine graduated Summa Cum Laude, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree with a major in English and a minor in History.  She taught history for many years in high school extension programs, which she really enjoyed.  Lorraine and Coy attended St. Luke’s United Methodist Church and her love for Christ and humanity shown throughout her life.  Her annual charity donations always included St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital, Father Flanagan’s Boys Home and Cal Farley’s Boy’s Ranch.  Lorraine had many hobbies but she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren above all else.  She loved teaching them how to cook, bake Christmas cookies, build gingerbread houses and read books.  Lorraine and Coy also loved camping, fishing and the mountains.  Opera was her favorite music and she often attended the Winston Salem Piedmont Opera.  Lorraine also displayed her love of artistry through the creative and phenomenal crafts she made, a hobby her family so enjoyed doing with her.  In addition to her parents and husband, Lorraine was preceded in death by her sisters, Colleen Jackson and Elizabeth Anderson.  She is survived by her daughters, Deanna Neinast (Rich), Ruby Belk (Russ) and Marguerite Dowty (Marshall);  her grandchildren, Alisha Belk Fowler (Justin), Chris Roth, Allen Roth (Hailey); and a brother, Jacob James Sanders.  A memorial service to celebrate Lorraine’s life will be held at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel on Saturday, May 22, 2021, at 2:00 pm.  Lorraine or “Granny” as she was affectionately known, will be greatly missed.  She was a pillar of strength and was nicknamed our “tough little bird”.  Lorraine was a wonderful mother and had many cherished “adopted daughters”, whom she loved dearly.  Our memories of her will be an inspiration to us all.  Hugs and Kisses to Granny and Papa.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.  A big thank you to the Hospice of the Piedmont team who was with us as she completed her journey, especially nurse Stephanie.  They are truly angels doing God’s work.  Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is serving the family and Mrs. Dowty.