Dorothy “Dottie” Anne Priest

December 31, 1955 - February 3, 2023

Surrounded by family, Dorothy “Dottie” Anne Priest, 67, passed away on February 3, 2023 in Yuma, Arizona. She was born on December 31, 1955 in Dillon, South Carolina to Leroy and Laura Tyndall. Dottie was a twin to her sister, Debbie, and little sister to her favorite brother, Rusty.

In 1964, Laura decided to relocate and create new beginnings for her children in Yuma, Arizona. There, Dottie would grow to love the Yuma community and the Yuma community would grow to love her. It was where she would create lasting friendships, a beautiful family, and an undeniable legacy.

Dottie attended Roosevelt, Post and OC Johnson Elementary Schools and Fourth Avenue Junior High School. However, she was most proud of her time at Yuma High School, where she made lifelong friends through her participation in the schools performing choir: The Choralairs. She would help plan and looked forward to every reunion her class would have following her graduation in 1974.

After being a Criminal, Dottie would pass through Arizona Western College and later become a Wildcat at the University of Arizona. There, her athletic ability would come to light as she would walk-on as a pitcher for the softball program. After her time at the Uofa, she would return home to Yuma and commit 31 years to government service as a Financial Analyst at Yuma Proving Grounds.

In the summer of 1980, Dottie married Rodney Priest and they built a beautiful and full life together. Both shared a love for the ball field and would spend many hours playing and making memories with their teammates. In 1981, they became parents to Ryan and, a few short years later welcomed another son, Curtis, to their family. As their boys began to grow, she began to shift from doing the activities she loved to watching her boys thrive in activities of their own. She and Rod never missed a game and you could always count on their door being open to feed the team or her hand going up to help organize the teams fundraisers. She was the ultimate “Team Mom.” The love she had for her boys would magnify later in life as they started building families of their own. Shifting from mom to Nana would become her greatest accomplishment. She would never miss an opportunity to show you the latest picture of one of her grandbabies - she was so proud of each one!

In 2009, Dottie endured heartbreak as Rod lost his hard-fought battle against cancer. With time and through healing from the Lord, she allowed herself to find love again. In 2017, she married Ralph Arnold and, together, they traveled, sang karaoke, and invested countless hours into the Fraternal Order of Eagles events, both locally and statewide.

Dottie found tremendous joy in being around people and there was always an event on her calendar. Unless she was up north at her family cabin or on a trip with friends, she poured all she could into numerous local golf tournaments, volunteering for Hospice of Yuma, raising money for the annual Relay for Life walk in Yuma, and seeing the Eagles charitable events through. If she could find a way to contribute, she would and - along the way - she'd work diligently and probably make you laugh. She just has a special way about her.

Dottie's impact was felt through her loyalty, generous spirit, and unconditional love. No matter how much time had passed or if she was pressed for time, she was always happy to catch up and give you a hug. Effortlessly, she showed us two things: people are worthy of your kindness and the right thing to do is always the right thing to do.

Dottie was preceded in death by her father, Leroy Tyndall; mother, Laura Smith Hardy; husband, Rod Priest. She is survived by husband, Ralph Arnold; sons Ryan Priest (Stephanie) and Curtis Priest (Andrea); six grandchildren (Austin, Landon, Miles, Mason, Hunter, and Harper); brother, Rusty Tyndall (Susie); sister, Debbie Smith (Rick); several sister-in-laws, brother-inlaws, nieces, nephews, and too many friends to list.

Services will be held at Church for the City in Yuma, Arizona on Monday, February 13, 2023, at 10:00 AM. Pallbearers will be Ryan Priest, Curtis Priest, Rusty Tyndall, Rich Smith, Robbie Smith, Josh Tyndall, Austin Priest, Landon Priest, and Cori Rico. Honorary pallbearers will include Miles Priest, Mason Priest, Hunter Priest, and Harper Priest.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either Hospice of Yuma or Hunters Army, Inc.both charities dear to Dottie.

Please sign the guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/yumasun