Dorothy Marie Middleton

(August 29, 1937 - April 18, 2024)

Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother is in the loving arms of our Lord and savior. She passed away on April 18, 2024, in Riverdale, California surrounded by her family. Dorothy Marie Middleton was born on August 29, 1937, in Harrisburg, Arkansas to Paul M. Whited and Clara B. Whited.

Widowed at 24 years of age with 2 small children, Marie worked in several capacities ranging from the cotton fields, to nursing, to seasonal work at IRS, a school bus driver, seasonal work at Contadina/Del Monte, and Home Care for elderly people.

She was nurtured in a close-knit family, and she continued that with her family. She was very devoted to her family, and others with that compassionate, gentle and generous nature. Her compassionate nature led her to start working Home Care in the off-season from Contadina / Del Monte. Her work in Home Care continued after her retirement until about 4 years ago, totaling over 45 years. She was a devoted Christian, very faithful in church attendance and service. She spent many years as a Sunday School teacher and in other children's ministries. She was a janitor at her church and a monitor at the church's Christian School.

Marie re-married 5 years after she was widowed. Her nature caused the two families to be grafted into one. As a result, 'halves and steps' were not acknowledged.. We were all just family.

She leaves behind her beloved family, two sisters: Shirley Austrum of Riverdale, Ca., Barbara Metheny and husband Rev. Harold Metheny of Duncan, Oklahoma. Four sons: Dean Metheny and wife Donna Metheny, Dennis Middleton and wife Cherry Middleton, Larry Middleton and wife Charlotte Middleton, and James Middleton and wife Betty Middleton. One daughter: Judy Goldsmith and husband Tim Goldsmith. Seventeen grandchildren, thirty-four great-grandchildren, seven great-great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.

Marie was proceeded in death by her two husbands: Rev. Herman Metheny and Alvin Middleton, three brothers: Herman Whited, Rev. Fred Whited and Milton Whited.