Dorothy Lillian Prewitt departed this life on July 9, 2021, in Creve Coeur, Missouri, at the age of 96.
A lifelong resident of Oregon County, Missouri, and North Central Arkansas, she maintained a farm east of Thayer, Missouri, with her husband Albert Prewitt since 1946. It was a special place with a front porch always welcome to family, friends, and neighbors. She possessed abundant talents, a creative spirit, and always applied herself, whether in gardening, baking, crafting, or similar challenging endeavors. All who knew her celebrated her quilting skills, and she continued to produce intricate quilts into her 90s. Her abilities are best memorialized in the numerous quilts she created for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was born on August 20,1924, in Fulton County, Arkansas, to Merritt and Lillian Harrell. From a young age she displayed a commitment to education balanced with dedicated service to her family. At just the age of 14, she assumed parental duties during the week such as cooking and supervising daily activities so that she and her three brothers could live in town to attend school.
After graduating high school, she began her teaching career in Norwood, Missouri when WWII caused a teacher shortage.
Following graduation from high school in Thayer, Missouri, she attended the predecessor to Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri, at a time when few women attended college, while also working and raising a family. She graduated in 1955 with honors and special recognition in Business and Math. She was a member of Kappa Mu Epsilon honorary math society, Pi Omega Pi Business Honorary Society, and Delta Kappa Gamma International Women’s Teacher Organization for which she served as an officer and actively participated throughout her career. She taught Business Education and Math at Couch High School for 40 years until her well-earned retirement.
In nearly 61 years of marriage, Dorothy and Albert maintained their farm and provided for their two sons, Larry and Gary Prewitt, who with the motivation, support, and inspiration of Dorothy and Albert achieved advanced degrees and many professional successes. During their retirement, Dorothy and Albert frequently hosted their grandchildren at the farm.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Ernest, Norman, and Truman Harrell; her husband; her son, Gary; and her granddaughter Sarah Prewitt.
She is survived by sister, Audrey Emery of Arnold, Missouri; son, Larry and his wife Janice of Wildwood, Missouri; daughter-in-law, Jo Beth Anderson and her husband Larry of Thayer, Missouri; grandchildren, Tammy Prewitt of Wildwood, Missouri, Brian Prewitt and his wife Elizabeth of Rolling Meadows, Illinois, Kevin Prewitt and his wife Lindsey of Shawnee, Kansas, and John Prewitt and his wife Maggie of St. Peters, Missouri; great-grandchildren, Ashtyn and Ansley Nicholson, Lillian, Larry, Sarah, Penelope, Scarlett and Remington Prewitt; and many nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors, and former students.
Baptized in 1940 in the Warm Fork River, Dorothy was a devoted and faithful follower of Christ and member of the Church of Christ throughout her life. She modeled a faith for her family and friends that is at the heart of her legacy to the next generations. She was a blessing to her family and friends, a model of perseverance, diligence, loyalty, and integrity, and will be missed dearly.
Funeral services for Dorothy L. Prewitt will be held on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri with Brian Prewitt officiating.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. to service time at Carter Funeral Home in Thayer, Missouri.
Burial will be on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 in Thayer Cemetery in Thayer, Missouri with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Paragould Children’s Home.
July 9, 2021 @ 8:57 pm
Sending prayers of comfort for the family, church family, students & all those that her life has touched!
This is an earthly loss but Heavens gain!
July 9, 2021 @ 11:37 pm
Thank you for leading so many of us through our high school years at Couch High School. The strength that was shown for so many students and her push for us to succeed. Dorothy was a person who loved her family and showed that through her quilting of handmade quilts with her own hands. Bless her family and friends at this time.
July 10, 2021 @ 7:46 am
Dorothy was one of the strongest and most talented women that I have known. She made so many beautiful quilts for family and friends that will live on in her memory.
July 10, 2021 @ 7:05 pm
I’m so very sorry for the loss of this family’s loved one. Such a dear family. So many lives and communities positively influenced by this lady.
July 11, 2021 @ 1:21 pm
I treasured our friendship, dearest Dorothy. You had such stature, smart and talented and skilled and faithful and humorous and sturdy. You were an exemplary Delta Kappa Gamma sister.
July 12, 2021 @ 8:38 am
Aunt Dorothy was very loved and respected by myself. She will be greatly missed. Much love to y’all.
July 12, 2021 @ 12:06 pm
I was blessed to have several wonderful teachers in high school. Mrs. Prewitt was one of the wonderful ones. CHS class of ’72.
July 12, 2021 @ 9:48 pm
It is an honor to read of the life that Dorothy lived. She was a second cousin on my mother, Ruth. Harrell Deatons side. She was my teacher in high school and I appreciated her. My greatest memories are of her as Alberts wife, and being a great mother to Larry and Garry. She was a strong, Christian example to me. I still have some of the recipes she shared with me each year at the Harrell reunion. I always looked forward to seeing Dorothy and Audrey her sweet sister… My prayers for the family at this time of sorrow. Blessed are those who die in the Lord. Carolyn Deaton Stephens
July 13, 2021 @ 8:54 am
She was an excellent teacher! I was a challenge to teach in her typing class. She had a good sense of humor. She was truly an excellent example to her students . I was blessed to be taught by her and convey my deepest sympathy to her family and friends.
July 13, 2021 @ 10:49 am
So sorry to hear of Mrs. Prewitt’s passing I remember her for being a very caring person proud of her family and all of her fellow teachers and especially her students, she will be missed by all that knew her !!
July 13, 2021 @ 1:23 pm
Sending condolences to ya’ll, she will be missed, lots of memories with this amazing lady.
July 17, 2021 @ 6:42 pm
Aunt Dorothy was a big part of my youth. She was always ready to step in and keep me, when needed. We did a lot together including making a quilt, which I’ve always treasured. Much love and prayers to Larry and his family and to John.
July 21, 2021 @ 6:50 pm
A full life indeed and a great influence to the young people in Oregon county. Great family. Prayers to the family