Dorothy Stephenson Kinlaw , December 23, 1927 — June 18, 2018

Dorothy Stephenson Kinlaw, 90, of Raeford, NC went to be with the Lord on Monday, June 18, 2018. Mrs. Kinlaw was born on December 23, 1927 to Bernard and Nellie Stephenson and grew up in Tabor City, NC. She graduated from Mars Hill College and Fayetteville Business College.

She married C.F. Watson and had a daughter, Barbara. She worked for many years as a Secretary to the Plant Manager at TexElastic in Raeford. After her husband’s death, she pursued a different career and graduated from Pembroke University and East Carolina, receiving a Master’s Degree.

She taught in the Hoke County School System for several years. In 1974, Dorothy married Clarence (C.P.) Kinlaw and helped manage his business, Kinlaw Jewelry Store. She continued to operate the establishment after his death in 1993 until it closed in 2012.

She was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Raeford and served on many committees. She was a Sunday school teacher, WMU Director, deacon, and trustee. She also decided to help the church start a mission church in Robbins Heights.

She and Barbara were very active there before returning back to First Baptist Church. She was also active in the community, where she was a member of the Raeford Woman’s Club, served as a tutor for the Literacy Council, and supported other local business endeavors. She was devoted to visiting shut-ins and those living in the local nursing homes.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her husbands, C.F. Watson; C.P. Kinlaw; siblings, Genevieve Stephenson, Frances Witham, Bernice Bullard, Princess Hastings, Nancy Long, D.C. Spivey, Joe Spivey, Bob Spivey, Billy Spivey, and grandson, Brian Simmons. Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Barbara Watson Branch (Ronnie); step-daughters, Betty Kinlaw Simmons (Paul), Peggy Kinlaw Lewis (George); grandchildren, Michelle Rozier, Jeana Rozier Starkey (Tommy), Brent Simmons (Connie), Catherine Simmons, Judd Lewis, Heather Lewis-Smith (Matt), Wendell Branch, Shelly Branch Secoy (Ben); nine great-grandchildren; siblings, Ben Spivey, Nell Spivey Juarez, and numerous other loving family members and friends. A visitation will be held from 1-2:30 pm Friday, June 22, 2018 at Raeford First Baptist Church 333 N. Main Street Raeford.

A funeral service will follow at 2:30pm in the church, officiated by Reverend Thomas Lee. Burial will be in the Raeford Cemetery.

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