October 13, 1922 – June 3, 2013

“Ms. Dottie”, as she was known by all those Walmart customers, loved her job as a “Greeter.” It really showed when she was given the “Store Greeter of the Year” certificate. She proudly displayed it for all to see, even at the nursing home.

She and “Mr. Ben” retired to Brookhaven in 1987. One year of making beautiful “handmade” quilts and gardening was enough of staying home. She and her husband, Mr. Ben Taylor, started new careers. She worked with the C-Store until they retired her. Super Wal-Mart was hiring and she worked there for eight years until she got Alzheimer’s in 2004.

She loved most the jobs of serving people. On the St. Charles street car in New Orleans during WWII, she and her two sisters, Johnnie and Marie Crook, worked while the men served overseas. “Can Do” described them best! She had many jobs during her 90 years. In Visalia, Calif. in the 1950’s, she served people at Nielson’s or Merles Drive-In. In the 1960’s, she moved back to New Orleans to serve at the snack bar for Kresge, and in the 70’s and 80’s she returned to Fresno, Calif. to work at K-Mart snack bar, where she retired.

Ms. Dottie was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and May Chappell Crook; her three brothers and her two sisters; and her beloved husband, Mr. Ben Taylor.

She loved her family and friends; they were all so close. Her favorite thing was to cook for them. She loved having them over for big “get togethers” and she always cooked “big dinners,” and it was a special treat to be invited over, especially for her Cajun food. If you were lucky, you enjoyed red beans and rice along with Elvis Presley cake.

She is survived by her three daughters, Mrs. Katherine Ogden and her husband, George Ogden, Jr., of Clovis, Calif., Ms. Holley Taylor of Bogue Chitto, and Mrs. Debra Blomgren and her husband, Kinsey Blomgren, of Springville, Calif.; her four grandchildren, Billy Case, Jr., James Mendez, Frank Blomgren and Gerone Blomgren; and 14 great-grandchildren. She’s also survived by a very special niece, Mrs. Sadie Sackreiter and her husband, Doug, of South Dakota. Last but not least is a special friend, Mr. Carey Moak, who visited her at Shady Oaks Home and Countrybrook Living Center. He always gave her a twinkle in her eye and brought her so much joy.

Visitation will be held at Brookhaven Funeral Home, 894 Natchez Drive, Monday, June 10, from 5 until 8 p.m.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 11, at 11 a.m. at Brookhaven Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Midway Cemetery, Meadville.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, Middle Mississippi Chapter, 1900 Dunbarton Drive, Suite I, Jackson, MS 39216.