Birth date: Sep 24, 1935 Death date: Jul 31, 2025
Dorothy Jeane Musselwhite was born September 24, 1935 and died July 31, 2025. She is survived by her son, James Byron Closser; daughter-in-law, Myrna Marie Litchfield Closser and grandson, James Byron Closser, II; sister, Virgini Read Obituary
Dorothy was such a kind and hospitable woman. She graciously opened her home to Sid and myself when we needed a place to stay for a few days. She was always interested in what was happening in other’s lives. One story we will not forget was a Sabbath day. She was taking us to her home just before church was dismissed. We all got in her car and waited for her to start it. It was then that she realized we were all sitting in someone else’s car. It looked so similar to hers. We jumped out, made sure no one had seen our trespassing, and drove home with much laughter. She really did love her Savior. What a lovely lady. And we will see her one day all renewed. Aileen Litchfield
After moving in with my daughter next door to Dorothy, we became close friends. We laughed at how difficult it was to take orders from our children. She felt like I understood her. Even when she was having a bad day, I could usually get her laughing about what it feels like to grow old.
She had a precious calm, sweet spirit that was infectious. I only knew her for a few years, but I am so grateful for the times we had together.
Dorothy had such a godly sweet spirit that was infectious! We laughed together about how hard it is to grow old. I understood how hard it is to take orders from your children after years or directing your children to follow Christ and grow in wisdom. I could usually make her laugh even on her bad days.
We watched movies, exercised our legs, and joked together as senior ladies. I will always remember the precious times we shared.
Dorothy had been on my mind much lately, and by chance I came across this FLA-Obituary site and felt such sadness to see her there. Thanks to Myrna, after Dorothy moved from her own house, we were able to have a delightful phone conversation recounting memories from our teenage years. We worked togehter in the Medical Record office at the San when I was at FLA, and was so excited and honored to be one of the bridesmaid in her wedding to Frank. Then, when the army deployed him overseas, I went with her on the bus to New York for her to board the ship to Italy to be with him. She was so much fun to be with and had a wonderful, infectious laugh that I always tried to emulate. In our last conversation, she expressed her gratefulness for her happy years with Gordon and how cherished she felt from the kindness shown by Myrna and family, and how proud she was of her son Jim. Dorothy was a beautiful person who I loved dearly. My condolences to all the family and others who will miss her.
- Marillyn Cox-Suzuki
I had been thinking of Dorothy lately and then by chance saw the obituary. Thanks to Myrna, we were able to reconnect by phone a couple of years ago after she had moved from her own house. We recounted our times together as teenagers as we had worked together in Medical Records department at the San when I was at Forest Lake. I felt so excited and honored to be one of her bridesmaids when she and Frank got married. After he was deployed by the army to Italy, I went with her on the bus to New York when she took the cruise ship to follow him there. I have pictures of us boarding the bus in Orlando, and of her waving from the deck of the ship at the dock in NY. She was always so much fun to be with and had a wonderful laugh that I always tried to emulate. Despite losing some of her cognitive ability, our last conversations were clear as she told me of the intervening years and the happiness she experienced in her remarriage, and how proud she was of her son. She was a beautiful person.
-Marillyn Cox-Suzuki
Sweet sweet Aunt Dorothy, she made looking good seem effortless. A shining example of everything The Turner Family is known for…integrity, fairness, generosity, quiet strength and last, but not least…good humor.
So pretty too, movie star pretty…truly. The kind of beauty that turned heads, but never needed to. Even her hands, so soft and pretty…graceful and always doing something kind, good and precise. Writing a note, a greeting card, folding church bulletins, making that delicious baklava or placing each decoration on that amazingly spectacular Christmas Tree.
Another wonderful memory for me was that she always remembered my birthday, a trait I did not get, unfortunately. She took the time to pick the perfect card, make sure it arrived in my mailbox, right on time and in her, lacy, like flowers blooming cursive…it was always signed, “Much love, Aunt Dorothy. I just think that’s a beautiful way to sign a card. I’ve copied that and when I sign cards, I’m proud to warmly sign, “Much love, Melahn.”
Another sweet thing Aunt Dorothy did was hug and kiss us, in her own precious way. She would take my face, in her two, soft and pretty hands and look me right in the eyes and say, “love you” and give the sweetest little kiss, right on my lips. It was heart melting…truly.
She loved Jesus and served the church faithfully, not just in word, but in quiet steady action. One of my earliest memories was in the spare bedroom on Magnolia watching her print bulletins. I imagine just setting up and maintaining the printer was, in comparison to wireless printers of now, more laborious and as I remember took up a quite bit more space. I was a little kid so maybe seemed bigger than it was, regardless, I was pretty impressed by this weekly event at Aunt Dorothy’s house. I didn’t know about The Body of Christ then, but once I learned of it…immediately thought of Aunt Dorothy and those bulletins she printed. I realized she was contributing to The Body of Christ, and making it better, bulletin by bulletin.
Her home was like her, warm and gracious. I remember everyone loved being there.
Southern charm, loaded with it, and something that comes with that…a spine of steel, she could say “no” without you realizing it, but she could also say “no” in a manner so poised and resolute it made you know she meant “no” and not to forget it. Very admirable quality and I’m sure, in part why she was so well respected.
Aunt Dorothy is deeply missed, but she’ll never truly be gone. She has left us the gift of her beautiful bright light that’s resting gently on every heart she touched and that will never fade.
As much as I miss my dearest Daddy, I shall be forever grateful that the next time he sees his sweet Sister Dorothy will be in heaven with joyous laughter and much love!
🌹 Much love, Melahn…
She is clothed in strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Proverbs 31:25-26
