Skip (Dorothy A.) Stouffer

Skip (Dorothy A.) Stouffer, 92, of Valdosta, GA, passed away on March 17, 2023, surrounded by her loved ones. Born on January 23, 1931, in Bessemer, AL, Skip was the daughter of James and Frances Shipp. She was preceded in death by her husband, Myron E. Stouffer Sr. and her parents.

As a child, Dottie, as she was affectionately known then, lived in several states, among them, Alabama, South Dakota, Kansas, and California. And though she was an obedient child, she wasn't above the occasional mischief. Passionately independent, from a long line of like-minded women, she didn't "cotton" to being told she couldn't do something because she was a girl and it wasn't safe. She loved to explore and one story is told about an "escape" she and a childhood friend executed to discover the wilds beyond the farm she lived on at the time. The escape was successful and Dottie made friends with a wild fox and her kits. But having no sense of time at the grand age of 5, you can imagine how rattled her parents were when she finally reappeared...after supper, completely surprised and perplexed by their concern.

In keeping with that spirit of adventure, she dreamt of one day becoming an archeologist. She was brilliant, hardworking, and excelled in everything she did. She graduated high school with a 4.0, completed her BA in History & Foreign Language at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, AL, then went on to receive a dual MA degree in Art History & French from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN; being one of the few women of her time to study and prepare to follow her dreams. Skip was also an accomplished artist/designer, creating artwork, designs, prototypes, models, and marketing for many organizations and corporations. Applying herself completely to everything she did, she became expert at all forms of management, from visualization to consultation to completed endeavor; even successfully running a beauty salon and world export business while simultaneously maintaining all her other responsibilities as the wife of a military commander, caring for her husband, home, and children. An avid humanitarian, she opened her home to those in need as they journeyed through life's challenges. And never one to remain idle, when her husband retired they created, and ran, a providential dentistry mission in Belize becoming vital sponsors of the Episcopal Church in that region.

Skip was thoughtful, generous, and loyal, giving of herself tirelessly for those she loved and cared for. She adored animals, enjoyed painting, architecture, flower arranging, history, design, and travel. She was a committed family woman, fiercely protective of her loved ones. As such, she was deeply loved by them, and many others, whose lives were forever blessed because she was there. In recognition of her sentiments her children, would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Administrators, Nurses, and Healthcare providers at Langdale Place Assisted Living and Langdale Hospice House for the loving and dedicated care they provided our mother during her stay, without which her final years would have been much less comfortable.

Skip was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Valdosta, GA, and St. James Episcopal Church in Quitman, GA.

Skip is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Cobie and David McDaniel, her son and daughter-in-law, Ron and Cindy Stouffer, her stepson and daughter-in-law, Tim and Sally Stouffer, her first cousin and wife, Don and Iris Shipp, 9 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will take place at Carson McLane on Patterson St. in Valdosta, GA, on June 10, 2023, at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the ASPCA or The Wounded Warrior Fund. A graveside service will be held at Andersonville National Cemetery on June 12, 2023, at 10 a.m. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home