Katherine Hutchison Dotson

Katherine Hutchison Dotson passed away at her home in Pittsboro, NC on December 13, 2022 at the age of 95. Kay grew up in rural Bonneville, Kentucky, during the Great Depression, developing a humble self-reliance and recognition for the importance of education that she carried with her throughout her life. She often reminisced about her childhood home, her father Fox, a retired railroad worker, farmer and shopkeeper, and mother Clara. Life on a farm, spelling bees in a one-room school house, and the homemade music of her childhood had a lasting influence on her life. She and her older sister Bernice were inseparable as children and maintained a lifelong friendship. Kay’s parents passed away when she was young and she and Bernice moved to Louisville, Kentucky, where Kay’s musical talent blossomed into a singing career and she was distinguished as first runner up in the Miss Kentucky beauty pageant. In Louisville, Kay met her husband Bill, a young naval officer teaching at the University of Louisville. They started a family even as they followed Bill’s assigned naval posts around the world, living in Charleston South Carolina, Key West, Florida, Hawaii, Northern Virginia, Cocoa Beach, Florida, Guam, and ultimately Virginia Beach, Virginia. Kay and Bill raised four boys and Bill retired as Captain after a distinguished career. In Virginia Beach, Kay committed herself to pursuing her art -- an interest she had cultivated over the years with Bernice. She painted profusely and earned a degree in fine art from Virginia Wesleyan University. Many will remember her friendly presence at the Ghent Art Show in Norfolk, Virginia, the Boardwalk Art Show in Virginia Beach, and other local art shows where she won her share of awards for her paintings and prints. She and a small group of friends created and managed the Pembroke 4 Art Gallery in Virginia Beach which showcased many local artists in juried shows. Kay and Bill relocated to North Carolina in 2011 to be close to their sons and a growing number of grandchildren. Kay devoted herself to Bill’s care as his health declined. Bill passed away in 2018, after 60 years of marriage and partnership. Kay remained hopeful, good-humored, and dignified in her remaining years. She enjoyed the successes of her children, took on their challenges as her own, and reveled in the growth of her grandchildren. In her final months, Kay charmed caretakers with her warmth and humor. Kay passed quietly in her sleep among loved ones. She is survived by four sons, Mike, Jeff, Doug, and Greg and 6 grandchildren. Services will be held at Arlington National Cemetery 10:00 am February 13, 2023 .