Dorothy "Dot" Ann Clark "Dottie" Morrow

Dorothy Ann Clark Morrow, 81, of St. Petersburg, Florida, passed away in Corvallis, Oregon on Saturday, August 3, 2013 after a long and brave battle against Cancer and Parkinson's Disease. Dot (or Dottie) as she was known by her family and friends was born September 8, 1931 in St. Petersburg, Florida to Francis William Clark, Sr. and Ruth Thompson Stebbins Clark. She was a precocious red head with bright blue eyes who admired her older sister, Priscilla, and adored her older brother known by all as Jack. She attended St. Petersburg High School, played Clarinet in the band, and graduated in 1949. She maintained friendships from her school years and attended high school reunions until her death. Dot met her future husband, Richard Glen Morrow, (known as Rick), on a church picnic in 1950. They married on May 11, 1951 at the Fifth Avenue Baptist Church. They spent their month-long honeymoon at Boyler's Mill, Missouri (property owned by Rick's parents) prior to his induction into the US Army. During his two years at Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC, they had their first daughter, Rachel Ruth. Dot and Rick moved back to St. Petersburg and welcomed two more girls to their family: Gloria Helen and Jennifer Ann. They both resided there until Rick's death on July 31, 1994 and Dot's move to Corvallis, Oregon in 2011 to be near her oldest daughter. Dot worked off and on over the years at her father and brother's mortgage company as a secretary. She also worked for the Pinellas Public School System as a secretary in the guidance office of Lealman Middle School. Dot's life was full of family activities, music, friends, church, sewing, animals, watercolor painting, crafts, and gardening. The family were avid campers and enjoyed many adventures and trips all over the Eastern US and into Canada. She was a soprano soloist for the Fifth Avenue Baptist Church choir. She taught children's Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for many years. Dot made enduring friendships; everyone loved her smile, laughter, and generous spirit. While she never realized her dream of living on a farm, she loved to garden and had a wide variety of pets during her lifetime. Her special love was for dogs. Following in her mother's footsteps, she was a member of the Colonial Dames. Dot was a generous, kind, and loving person. Her faith, love and devotion to God guided and strengthened her throughout her life. Everyone who met her was blessed by her ability to make them feel like they had a true friend who loved and encouraged them. She gave her all whether it was in loving and supporting her husband, raising her girls, putting on elaborate choir parties, sewing everything from frilly dresses to canvas camping tents, taking care of elderly family and friends, or exploring and enjoying nature. Dorothy is survived by her children, Rachel Ruth Downey (Bryce), Gloria Helen Perry (Earl), Jennifer Ann Barr (David), her grandchildren, Abram and Andrew Downey, Matthew Perry, Jeffrey, Zachary, Ellen, and Phillip Barr; her brother, Francis William Clark, Jr. (Sara), 4 nephews, and 1 niece. Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her sister, Priscilla Sever. Visitation with her family is scheduled for 3:00 to 6:00 PM, Friday August 9, 2013 at E. Dale Gunter Funeral Home 4100-16th Street North. A funeral service will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, August 10, 2013 at Fifth Avenue Baptist Church 4901 - 5th Avenue North. Entombment with her husband will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family would like to thank all her family and friends who supported and encouraged Dot during her life and illness. She would be grateful and honored to have memorial contributions made to: Benton Hospice 2350 NW Professional Drive Corvallis, OR 97330 and Fifth Avenue Baptist Church. 600 - 49th Street North Suite A St. Petersburg, FL 33710 "Life is short, and we have not much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel with us, so be quick to love and make haste to be kind." Henri Frederic Amiel. $(document).ready(function(){ });