Mrs Dorothy "Dottie" Marie McClure Norton

A funeral service for Dorothy "Dottie" Marie McClure Norton (77) of Alto is scheduled for 11:00 on Thursday, July 24, 2025 with visitation before the service at 10:00 at First Baptist Church in Rusk. Services are under the direction of Wallace-Thompson Funeral Home. The service will be officiated by Brother Cobey May. She will be laid to rest at Salem Cemetery immediately following the service.
Dottie was surrounded by her two daughters when she joined her husband and son, as she entered the presence of the Lord on July 21, 2025.
Dottie was born on November 11, 1947 in Jacksonville, TX to the late Dorothy and Jewel McClure. In 1968, she married the love of her life, Ronnie Norton. Dottie and Ronnie began their family in 1971 with the birth of their first child, Julie, then soon after welcomed their second daughter, Kara in 1972. In 1975, their sweet son Ronald Clay joined the family then passed away three short months later. She was the definition of a selfless mother. She went above and beyond to make sure they had everything they needed and more. As time passed, their mother/daughter relationship became a special friendship that they all cherished. Dottie began her career as a dental assistant at Rusk State Hospital then Skyview/Hodge Unit, where she retired to become a full-time Mimi. Her duties included but were not limited to daily lunch runs, expert stain remover, and errand runner at her grandkids beck and call.
In 1992, Alison and Tyler were born and she gained her title as Mimi, which she wore very proudly. Her heart grew again in 1994 when she welcomed Juliann to the bunch. She lived by the quote "you can never have too much love" and inherited additional grandchildren over the years that she adored - Steven and Scott Baker, Kate and Amy Stokes, and Caleb Ferrara. As if her heart wasn't full enough, becoming a great grandmother was one of her greatest blessings. She gained six great grandchildren to call her Mimi - Annie and Maggie Jones, Channing Cheatham, Barrett Baker, and Abigail and Addison Baker.
Dottie was a social butterfly. She loved spending time with her sorority sisters or could often be found sharing a cup of coffee with friends around her kitchen table. You could always count on her to show up to any event with her famous pound cake in hand. She was in her happy place when she was at the beach with the sand between her toes admiring God's beautiful creation. Spoiling her grandchildren was her favorite hobby. When they were at her house, they could always be found with a bell in hand as she catered to their every need. Their days together included treasure hunts, as she walked in front with a pocket full of treasures to toss down for them to find, and egg tosses as they wasted every egg in the house. She never missed a chance to cheer on her grandchildren from the stands at their multiple sporting events.
Dottie could always be found with a smile on her face and a positive attitude regardless of how she was feeling. She had a true servant's heart and had a way of making everyone feel loved and special with an open home and open heart. Dottie loved the Lord and lived life to the fullest.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronnie Norton, mother, father, brother, Kenny McClure, her precious son Ronald Clay Norton and grandson Scott Baker.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughters Julie Stokes and husband Patrick of Tyler; Kara Bowling of Rusk; grandchildren Alison Bowling Jones and husband, Brent, of Bullard; Tyler Baker and wife, Meagan, of Tyler; Juliann Bowling Cheatham and husband, Jacob, of Tyler; Caleb Ferrara of Rusk; Steven Baker and wife, Jessica, of Bullard; Kate Stokes of Washington D.C.; Amy Stokes of Austin; great-grandchildren Abigail Baker, Addison Baker, Annie Jones, Maggie Jones, Channing Cheatham, and Barrett Baker; brother Dwain McClure; brother Johnny McClure; as well as many loved and adored nieces, nephews and friends.
Pallbearers are Ryan Mabry, Shad Mabry, Jerry McClure, Ken McClure, Mark McClure, Keith Norton, and Steven Norton.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Salem Missionary Baptist Church Youth Fund, Attention Dorothy Dosser, PO Box 142, Rusk, Texas 75785.
The family wishes to extend sincere thanks to her caretakers at Prestige Estates, Compassionate Care of East Texas and Hospice Plus. The love and care given to her and our family is greatly appreciated and will always be remembered.