Dorothy Saunders Southwell, 93, of Rock Hill, SC, passed away on April 8, 2025 at Westminster Presbyterian Center in Rock Hill. Born November 22, 1931 in Moore County, NC, she was the daughter of the late William P. and Elizabeth Plonk Saunders and was also preceded in death by her sister, Elizabeth Barnhardt. Dorothy, affectionately known as "Dot Dot", began attending Salem Academy in 1947 and graduated in 1950, the same year her family moved to Southern Pines, NC. She graduated from Queens College of Charlotte with a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics in 1954, and was elected President of the College Recreation Association for the 1953-1954 academic year. She also married Bob Southwell in 1954. They lived in Columbus, GA until Bob was sent to Baumholder, Germany as a Lieutenant in the United States Army. While in Germany, they welcomed a daughter, Sandy, in 1956, and when Bob was discharged later that year, the family moved to Rome, GA, where Bob was the General Manager of Rome Lincoln-Mercury Company. The family moved to Kings Mountain in 1960 when Bob bought the local Ford dealership. Dorothy was active in the First Presbyterian Church of Kings Mountain, where she served as President of the Women of the Church for four years. When Bob retired in 1994, the family moved to Holden Beach, NC, where they remained until 2016, when Bob and Dorothy moved to Westminster Towers of Rock Hill, SC.

SURVIVORS: Husband of 70 years: Bob Southwell of Rock Hill, SC
Children: Sandy Southwell Codington (John) of Wilmington, NC and Steve Southwell (Jane) of Rock Hill, SC
Grandchildren: Owen Codington, Elizabeth McGuire (Will), Rob Southwell (Margaret), , and Sally Berger (Brandon)
Great-Grandchildren: John Howell McGuire, Moriah McGuire, Dottie McGuire, Hollis Berger, Wells Berger, and Sumner Southwell

A graveside service was held on Monday, April 14, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at Mountain Rest Cemetery with Reverend Elizabeth McGuire officiating.

INTERMENT: Mountain Rest Cemetery, Kings Mountain, North Carolina

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dorothy's memory may be made to First Presbyterian Church at 111 East Kings Street, Kings Mountain, NC 28086

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ARRANGEMENTS: HARRIS FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, KINGS MOUNTAIN, NORTH CAROLINA