Dorothy “Dotye” Marian Markham
August 2, 1940 – May 18, 2025
Dorothy “Dotye” Marian Markham, age 84, of Stockton, CA, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, on Sunday evening, May 18th, 2025. She was born on August 2nd, 1940, the daughter of the late Fred and Marian Lewis, and beloved sister to her late brother, Robert “Bob” (Ely) Lewis.
Dotye is cherished and deeply missed by her loving husband of 60 years, Ronald “Ron” Markham, and her daughters, Laura Markham and Cynthia “Cindi” Stoub. She was deeply loved by her six grandchildren — Claire, Caleb, Allie, Juju, Camron, and Annasophia — who all held a special place in her heart. She is also lovingly remembered by her son-in-law, Don, and four great-grandchildren — Jerome III, Jermaine, Zayden, and Amaya — along with their father, Jerome Jr. Dotye’s presence was a constant source of love, warmth, and joy to every member of her family, all of whom miss her dearly.
Born in Twin Falls, Idaho, and raised in Klamath Falls, Oregon, Dotye pursued her education at Multnomah College, Southern Oregon University, and later Chico State, where she obtained a degree in social work. Social work took her to Stockton, where she met Ron and started her family. As her girls got older, she obtained her teaching certificate and became a beloved elementary school teacher and school librarian. During her more than 20 years of service in education, she touched the hearts of countless students with her warmth, creativity, and unwavering belief in the power of learning. She held a lifelong passion for educational access and equity. The friends she made at Kennedy Elementary were very important to her.
While raising her children, Dotye formed deep, enduring friendships with other young mothers in her community. Two of these women she came to consider as sisters, Barbara Head and Linda Hauger. She often cared for their children alongside her own, blending families into one extended, loving community — a bond that continues to this day and grieves her loss together.
Dotye reached out in every area of her life. She was an active and generous member of her community, volunteering with the PTA, leading her daughters’ Girl Scout troops, teaching english to adult learners, and organizing Sunday School classes.
In retirement, Dotye found joy in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Whether baking cookies, scrapbooking, making jewelry, throwing tea parties, playing cards, reading bedtime stories, swimming, or enthusiastically supporting their theatrical performances, she embraced every moment with love, laughter, and boundless patience. Her family knew, without question, how deeply and unconditionally she loved each of them.
Dotye had a lifelong love of plants and animals. Over the years, she lovingly cared for many cats and one lucky dog — all but the most recent now surely reunited with her in heaven. She nurtured a flower garden for as long as her health allowed, tending it with the same care she gave to everyone in her life.
She was a woman of deep and abiding faith, and a member of several church communities over the years — most recently, Lincoln Presbyterian Church.
In her final years, Dotye was the primary caregiver for Ron during his health struggles, even as her own health began to decline. Her quiet strength and selfless love never wavered.
Above all, Dotye will be remembered as a woman full of kindness, love, and laughter — sassy, smart, and endlessly cherished by all who knew her. Her heart was vast, always putting the needs of family and friends before her own, a quiet strength woven through every act of care. She lives on within each of us — in the kindness we share, the strength we carry, and the love that binds us together.
Although there is a huge hole in our lives, we know Dotye is made whole in Heaven reunited with her Savior, family, and friends. We rejoice with her as she is enjoying what she so desired, to be freed of the limitations of her body here on earth.
A celebration of Dotye’s life will be held on Wednesday, June 4th, at 4:00 p.m. at Lincoln Presbyterian Church, 900 Douglas Rd, Stockton, CA 95207.
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Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Markham family.