Dorothy James

Dorothy Ann Hayes James

Blythe, GA  –              Dorothy “Dot” Ann Hayes James, 82, loving wife of 30 years to Ernie Plagwitz and the late Horace James, entered into her eternal rest Saturday afternoon, September 8, 2018 at her residence. Funeral services to celebrate her life will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday afternoon, September 13, 2018 in the James Funeral Home Chapel with the Chaplain Erwin Finley Limehouse officiating.  Interment will follow in the Keysville United Methodist Church Cemetery.

The youngest of eight children born to the late Ethel Blanche Hartsock Hayes and the late Walter Carl Hayes, Dot was a native of Winfield WV.  Her father moved his family to the Keysville/Blythe area when Dot was a young girl and she has never left the area, always living in Burke County. After graduating from Hephzibah High School in 1955, she graduated from nursing school as a licensed practical nurse and worked at Burke County Hospital, retiring with 30 years of service.  Because she had a heart for serving others and to supplement her income, Dot also worked in various area nursing homes.  A hard worker, her main focus was to provide for her family. Dot absolutely loved Christmas and, because she had so many decorations, it became a family tradition to start decorating before Halloween.  She also loved plants and flowers and could be found working in her yard which gave her much peace and solace. Dot was very active and in her younger years, loved to go dancing.  Shopping was also a favorite pastime.  Her favorite time was vacationing in Florida with her family. She served her Lord and Savior at Story Mill Baptist Church until her health decline. Having a smile that could light up a room, Dot had a sassy attitude and sharp wit.  She was a “straight shooter”—you always knew where you stood with her.  Having a servant’s heart, she gave of herself, especially to her family who she loved unconditionally.  Her family, the focal point of her life, was her pride and joy. Her generous and loving spirit will be greatly missed but forever remembered. Having a tremendous capacity to love, her epitaph is “She loved and was loved.”

Dot was also preceded in death by all of her siblings—six sisters and one brother.  Other survivors include her five children, Mike Whitaker (Judy), Carl Whitaker (Dawn), Lori James, Ginny J. Kight (Hal) and Chris James (Angela); twelve grandchildren, Michael Whitaker Jr., Danny Whitaker-Carter, Patty Whitaker, Chris Whitaker, Valerie Prescott, Crystal Prescott, Tracy Prescott, Missy Utley-Key (Goodie), Joseph Utley, Harold Kight II, Mandie James-Hagan (Clint) and Kyle James; twenty-one great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Serving as pallbearers will be Kyle James, Goodie Key, Harold Kight II, Tanner Mosley, Cameron Perkins, Tracy Prescott, Joseph Utley and Michael Whitaker III.

The family will receive friends at James Funeral Home from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Wednesday evening, September 12, 2018.

The family extends heartfelt thanks for their excellent, loving, compassionate care to the staff Regency Hospice.