Mary Dotson

Mary Grace Vance Dotson, 83, of Harlem, Georgia passed away on March 27, 2025. Born in Grundy Virginia, she is preceded in death by her parents; Alexander Whitten Vance and Mary Jeanette Mays Vance; two brothers, Alexander Vance Jr. and Henry Ellis Vance; a son, Jeffrey Dean Dotson; and, two half sisters, Fayette Marie Vance Thompson, and Jeanette Joyce Vance Woodard. She is survived by her husband of sixty five years, James D. Dotson; two sons, James D. Dotson, Jr (Helen) and Timothy Brian Dotson; two sisters, Margaret Ann Vance Kovel (John) and Linda Gail Vance Mullins; five grandchildren, Jessica Lauren Hanley (John), Mary Elizabeth Baker (Brent), Cassandra Grace Dotson, Ashlyn Eaddy Morris (Brandon), and Mary Claire Noel Dotson; six great grandchildren, Aiden Powell, Phoenix Dechant, Joplin Hanley, Lily Baker, Isla Baker, and Cameron Morris.

Married to a career soldier, Mary Grace gracefully served as a U.S. Army wife, following James to and setting up quarters at: Fort Campbell, KY; New Haven, CT; Milford, CT; Fort Hamilton, NY; Fort Bragg, NC; Frankfurt, Germany; Fort Irwin, CA; and finally, Fort Gordon, GA. Mary Grace also managed the home front with her boys as James served two tours in Vietnam and several temporary duty assignments.

During James' military career Mary Grace worked a number of jobs to help support her family. However she always found the time to be highly involved in her boys' schools and activities including PTA, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, band and athletic booster clubs and academic teams. Mary Grace was an avid gardener who kept a lovely home which she surrounded with beautiful flower beds and gardens. Mary Grace was also an avid genealogist who served as official historian of the Vance Family Association, publishing numerous articles in that capacity. After retirement Mary Grace and James enjoyed traveling, taking their grandchildren on numerous long trips in their motor home.

Mary Grace was an intelligent, well read , well traveled and vibrant woman who lived a long and fulfilling life. She was robbed of the enjoyment of life she should have had in her last several years as she suffered the long physical and mental decline of and eventual demise from Alzheimer's Disease. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer's Association , Georgia Chapter or to Hands of Grace Hospice, LLC 119 Davis Rd Suite 11-A Martinez, GA 30907.

The family will hold a private memorial.