Dorothy Langhofer

Dorothy Jo Schwartz “Dottye” Langhofer went to be with the Lord on August 11, 2020, from Anderson Regional Medical Center in Meridian, Mississippi. She had moved from her beloved hometown of Batesville, Mississippi, to Meridian in July 2019, to be near her only daughter. She was a resident of Aldersgate Retirement Community. Her favorite saying was “’Press on toward the goal’ like it says in Philippians.” That’s exactly the way she lived her full and gracious life.

Dottye was born in Jackson, Tennessee on May 31, 1929, to Dorothy and Paul Schwartz. A native of Tallulah, Louisiana, Dottye attended both Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, and Louisiana State University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from LSU. While at LSU, Dottye was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority and remained active throughout her life in Kappa Delta alumnae organizations. There she met the love of her life, William Alfred “Bill” Langhofer, while they were both students. Upon graduation they married and later had one daughter, Dorothy “Dottye” Louise Langhofer Graham, of Meridian. She continued her education through the University of Mississippi and was a lifetime member of the Ole Miss Alumnae Association.

Dottye’s love of teaching and developing positive character traits in elementary students was one of the true devotions of her life. Mrs. Langhofer’s fourth grade classroom at Batesville Elementary School was a remarkable place for young children, and many to this day recall their happy and fruitful learning experiences in her classroom. Dottye later focused her teaching career on gifted education and was selected Outstanding Teacher of the Year before her retirement from the Warren County School District, Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Dottye loved to travel, and she and her daughter had many wonderful trips together. They traveled to London, Paris, Las Vegas, Boston, and California. However, her favorite pastime was to take in a marathon of Broadway theatre on a “girls’ trip” to New York City. On many occasions they toasted the Big Apple together and delighted in every journey there.

Dottye was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and humbly served the body she loved dearly at Batesville First United Methodist Church. There she served for many years as President of the United Methodist Women as well as numerous church committees and was a member of the Mature Adult Choir. She was a member of the Batesville Women’s Club and especially enjoyed playing bridge with her friends. She was a member of the Panola Country Club and loved having dinner “with the girls” there on Friday evenings.

Dottye was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, with whom she is happily reunited in heaven. She leaves behind her only daughter, Dottye Langhofer Graham and her husband Hardy Poindexter Graham, Sr. Grandmother “Dot” is also survived by her grandchildren, William Corban Gunn and wife, Hoover; Clyde Andrew Gunn and wife, Kristen; Paul Sullivan Gunn and wife, Ashley. She was also blessed with five great-grandchildren: Vonne and William Gunn, and Luke, Bo and Wyatt Gunn.

Due to current public health concerns, a family graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 22, at Magnolia Cemetery, Batesville, Mississippi. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations or memorials be made to Batesville First United Methodist Church, 119 Panola Avenue, Batesville, Mississippi 38606.

Thanks be to God for the life and love of Dottye Langhofer, the devoted matriarch of our family.