Dorothy May (Johnson) Carothers
- Dorothy May (Johnson) Carothers, 95, passed away peacefully on December 9, 2022, in Westerville, OH, where she had lived the past several years to be closer to family. Dorothy was born September 24, 1927, the daughter of R. Denver and Bertha Johnson in Dayton, OH.
Dorothy was a selfless and compassionate wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend to many throughout her life. While to many she was seen as a housewife, others saw Dorothy for her ability to adapt, her acting as a role model for younger moms, and her constant generosity of her time and energy. And her closest friends realized her understated independence and subtle sense of humor.
Soon after graduating high school in Richmond, IN, she moved to Denver, CO to explore life on her own terms. Returning to the Midwest, she worked as an executive secretary, where she met her future husband of 66 years, Joe. Supporting her husband’s career, she raised four boys and moved many places, including a decade in Louisville, KY, and eventually settling in Evansville, IN. When her children were living at home, she was dedicated to encouraging their interests and backing their various endeavors. She welcomed everyone with a smile into her home and tirelessly made them feel comfortable to be there. And once the boys grew up and moved out of the house, she enjoyed worldly travel, always cherishing visiting her grandkids. Outside of her family she was a committed member of her church, serving as both a Deacon and Elder and known for her diligent efforts meticulously decorating for the Christmas holidays. In the community, she assisted the United Way by tracking contributions for more than ten years, supported the Evansville Philharmonic for decades, and volunteered for countless student groups, from teaching children about paintings for the Evansville Museum of Art to leading Cub Scout troops.
Having grown up with the depression and World War II, she always counted her blessings and advocated for everyone to do the same. As she put it, her family had very little but was never hungry and full of love. Thanks to her dad, she was a lifelong Cincinnati Reds fan, and thanks to her sisters, a clever euchre player.
She is survived by her sons Steve (Kim) Carothers of Clearwater Beach, FL, Scott Carothers of Louisville, KY, Tom (Dede) Carothers of Westerville, OH, and Andy (Kate) Carothers of Seattle, WA; and four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will take place on Saturday, December 17, at Zechar Bailey Funeral Home, 1499 N. Broadway St., Greenville, OH 45331. Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and service at 1:30 p.m. Speaking at the service will be her long-time friend and pastor, Dennis Davenport, with interment immediately following at Greenville Union Cemetery. Flowers may be sent to the funeral home, or in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 5501 Washington Ave., Evansville, IN 47715.