Dorothy Jean Lightner's Obituary
Dorothy J. Lightner, 87, of Spotsylvania passed away October 28, 2015 in Carriage Hill Nursing Home after a long illness.
Dorothy Jean Lightner was a lifelong resident of Spotsylvania, born in the county on June 8, 1928, the youngest child and daughter of George Bernard Gardner and Lena Jane Bogart Gardner.
Mrs. Lightner was baptized at Goshen Baptist Church in 1943 and remained a devoted member for her entire life.
Dorothy volunteered with the Mary Washington Hospital Auxiliary for many years, first as a Candy Striper and later as a Grey Lady. She was also a generous blood donor for many years.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Charles, her sister Helen Parker of Sumter, South Carolina and dozens of nieces and nephews.
Dorothy was preceded in death by sons George E. Lightner and Charles D. Lightner, and by brothers James A. Gardner, Bernard E. Gardner, Marvin R. Gardner, Guy A. Gardner, Harold L. Gardner, Edward Y. Gardner, and sisters Elnora L. Gardner, Elsie M. Gardner, Irma B. Gardner, and Audrey G. Gardner.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, November 4 at 11 am at Goshen Baptist Church, 9800 Gordon Road, Spotsylvania, with Rev. Wayne Colton officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Immediately following the service, a time of fellowship will be held in the church’s reception hall.
Interment will be private at the Spotsylvania Confederate Cemetery in her family’s lot. There she will rest forever with her sons, parents, brothers and grandparents.
In lieu of flowers, Dorothy’s family requests that memorial contributions be made to Goshen Baptist Church, 9800 Gordon Rd, Spotsylvania, VA 22553 or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 6931 Arlington Road, Bethesda MD, 20814.
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