Dorothy Jean Cottrell Carter

Dorothy Jean Cottrell Carter, affectionately known by the family as “Dee Dot”, was born in Wingina, Va. in 1950, the second of 12 children born to the late Frank and Georgianna Cottrell—Ernestine Tucker (d. 1995), Stanley (d. 2022, Annette), Garnet Nickens, Alvin (d. 2020), Bernard (d. 2019, Lucille), Hilton, Jerome (Sandie), Frank Jr. (Glenda, d. 2015), Eugenia, Reginald, and Anthony (Sherrell).

Dorothy spent her youth and teenage years in Brooklyn, New York. As a young adult in her 20s, she returned to Virginia, where she married John Carter in 1984. Together they welcomed their son, Gary, in 1985.

Dorothy later worked in housekeeping and hospitality for the student residences for the University of Virginia, a job she took great pride in. She often spoke fondly of the friendships she made there and the great pride she took in her work.

A devoted daughter, Dorothy eventually returned to the family home in Tye River to help care for her aging parents. She loved spending time with family and friends, traveling with her sisters and cousins, and sharing laughter, music, and memorable sayings with everyone around her. Her quiet strength, resilience, and warm spirit remained constant, even as her health declined.

She leaves to cherish her memory her beloved son, Gary (Stephanie), and her two grandsons, Garren and Gabriel, her siblings, and a special nephew, William "Dunk" (Latisha) raised more like a brother. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Annette, Lucille and Sherrell Cottrell, Roberta Gardner and Susan Carter; a brother-in-law, Warren Carter; her devoted friend, Angelita Murphy; aunts, Alice Jeffries, Gladys Fleming, Jane Allen and Edith Allen; uncle Clifford Allen; 16 nieces and nephews; and a host of extended family members and dear friends.

Dorothy will be remembered for her unwavering love of her family, her quiet resilience, her infectious joy, and the joy she also brought to those who knew and loved her.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 12, 2026 at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 2156 Keys Church Road, Shipman, Virginia 22971 with Rev. Herbert D. Woodson, Jr. officiating.

Interment will follow in the Cottrell Family Cemetery in Shipman.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Arrangements by Wells/Sheffield Funeral Chapel, Lovingston (434-263-4097).