Dorothy Lillian Pemberton

Dorothy L. Pemberton Graduated to Heaven Saturday July 15, 2017 at the age of 94. Her parents were Hugh and Myrtle Oakes of Boscobel, Wisconsin. She is predeceased by her 1st husband, H.W. McKnight and her 2nd husband of 59 years, Walter B. Pemberton; son, Mark W. Pemberton, ( Becky ) of Oswego, N.Y.; and step-son, Samuel B. Pemberton ( Joyce ) of Eagle Lake, FL. Dorothy is survived by 3 sons, Stan McKnight of Seward, AK., George ( Debbie ) McKnight of Canovanas, PR. and Jeffery ( Jamee ) Pemberton of Quakertown, PA.; 2 daughters, Annette ( James ) Schwabel of Venice, FL. and Martha Laura ( David ) Grindel of North Port, FL. She is also survived by 3 grandsons, Andrew S. ( Nancy ) Travers of CA., Justin Travers of CT. and Walker McKnight of AK.; 1 granddaughter, Robin McKnight of AK; 2 step-grandsons, Roger Pemberton of FL. and Ramon ( Leah ) Smith of IL; one step-granddaughter, Christina ( Gary ) Eldridge, of FL; 2 great-grandsons, Andrew E. Travers, of CA. and Cameron Travers of CA.; 1 great-granddaughter, Jessica Travers of CA.; 2 step-great-granddaughters, Sierra Vallance of CA. and Donna ( Hunter ) Smith of FL; 2 step-great-grandsons, Kristopher ( Angelia ) Pemberton of FL. and Mark Harris of CA; and 2 step-great, great grandsons, Austin Smith and Noah Smith of FL. Dorothy is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great and great great grand nieces and nephews. Dorothy's early years where spent on her family's farm in Wisconsin. She milked cows, walked to a one room school house, and read books by kerosene lamp. It was probably through her early experiences living on the farm that she developed a love for family and nature. Being a mother was her favorite job but she did work as a waitress while attending high school and later in a factory sewing coveralls during WWII. During the Korean War, she worked in a gun powder factory until the war ended and then found another waitress job. As her family grew larger, she stayed home as a full time homemaker until her children had grown and then she took a job in the deli department of the local super market and, still later, worked again in a factory until retirement. During retirement, she loved playing cards with family, gardening and reading. Holidays were always very special when the family could be home, but any time family could be home was as special as any Holiday. The fun the family had together and the large turkey dinners she enjoyed preparing with homemade bread and pies will always be remembered, as well as her homemade cinnamon rolls and donuts. Dorothy was a very humble person and while she never pried as to your personal faith, she was always confident that it had been the Lord who had answered her prayers and helped her with the many needs of raising a large family. She had been baptized as a child in the Methodist church in Wisconsin and later, as an adult, wanted to be water baptized after joining a Baptist church in Michigan. Then, still later, after moving to Western N.Y., she and the family attended a Baptist church, but she became very interested in the move of the Holy Spirit after listening to teachings on the radio. When the family moved to the Southern Tier of N.Y., she attended a Holiness Church for a season, but later became less concerned about dress codes etc. As a senior, it became difficult for her to attend church regularly, but was always happy for the chance to attend whenever the family was home and they could attend together. There are many stories and memories to be yet shared. The family plans to gather September 22, 2017 for a Memorial Service at the Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Rd. 72, Sarasota, FL. at 10:30 am., with a shared lunch after the service at the Der Dutchman, 3713 Bahia Vista St, Sarasota, FL. GOD HAS BEEN GOOD AND GRACIOUS TO ALL OF US.