Dottie (Ennis) Abernathy (Kinnick HS/Japan’53-‘54) (November 17, 1936-May 10, 2005) OSB member since 1993.
DOTTIE ABERNATHY, Age 68 of Rockwall, TX, passed away May 10, 2005, in Dallas, TX. She was born November 17, 1936, in Brookings, SD, to Harry J. and Rachel (Jones) Ennis.
Dottie's father was a Major in the US Army. He was called up from the National Guard during World War II and the Korean War. Her family spent several years living at different Army bases, and during the Korean War the family joined him for a two-year stay in Yokohama, Japan.
Dottie graduated from the American High School in Yokohama in 1954 during her family's stay there. After graduation, she was a very active alum in the Overseas Brats and the Yo-Hi Alumni Group.
Dottie Ennis Abernathy was so proud of her Overseas Brat heritage, that she recruited some local Brats to host a ‘Brat car’ in her hometown parade. She attended numerous reunions and was affectionately referred to as "Yokohama Mama."
She went on to attend SMU, and graduated with a Bachelor and Master’s degree in Speech Therapy.
Dottie spent most of her life helping others. She was actively involved in several community organizations including: President of Rockwall Women's League, President of the Friday Study Club, Co-chair with her husband Jack of the Rockwall United Way Campaign, Chairman of the United Way Board of Directors in Rockwall, member of Metropolitan Dallas United Way, Board Member of Rockwall County Helping Hands, Soroptimist House Woman of Distinction, Rockwall Friends of the Library, Rockwall Community Playhouse, and a former member of DAR.
Additionally, Dottie's interest in genealogy led to very detailed family trees for both the maternal and paternal sides of the family.
She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Jack Abernathy of Rockwall, TX; sister, Caryl MacLeod & husband Harry of Wilbraham, MA; sister-in-law, Carri Abernathy Bell of Oklahoma City, OK; nephew and niece, Robert Abernathy & wife Celina, & Kelsey Abernathy of Oklahoma City, OK, to whom she was a loving second mother; great-nephew and niece, Jack & Kate Abernathy; cousin, James Cogan & wife Leslie of San Angelo, TX; and numerous other cousins and friends.