Ruth Dotson, community matriarch and cosmetologist, dies at 94

In Ruth Dotson’s household, Sunday afternoons were time spent with family and fellowship over a spread of delicious, homecooked food from her kitchen. The aroma of spaghetti and meatballs, chicken and dumplings filled the kitchen with a variety of desserts like lemon cake to cap the meal and satisfy the sweet tooth.

“We would always say Momma you have to write down these recipes,” Rosalind Dotson, Ruth Dotson’s daughter said.

Sundays were special in the Dotson family.

A dedicated wife, mother and grandmother, Ruth Dotson was the matriarch of her family and Kansas City community.

“She was the loving mom to eight children. Five boys and three girls in that order,” another of Ruth Dotson’s children, Regina Dotson, said. “She was the matriarch on the block we lived on.”

Dotson’s children said their mother had a bright smile, that lit up with a spirit and sense of humor.

“I remember as kids we were having foot races in the middle of the street. My mother took off her shoes and was barefoot,” Danny Dotson, Ruth’s son said. “She raced us in the middle of the street and beat us all,” he added with a laugh.

Dotson’s children describe her as the best mother in the world and the most honorable person they had ever met.

Dotson, surrounded by her family, died on Nov. 5. She was 94.

She was born on Aug. 9, 1927, in Dermott, Arkansas, to Ananias Davis and Viola McHenry Davis. Dotson was the fifth of 11 children.

She graduated from R.T. Cole High School, later following in the footsteps of her aunt and pursuing a career in cosmetology.

“She was 15 when she moved from Arkansas to Kansas City, Missouri,” Regina Dotson said. “(Her aunt) Anna Brown was also a cosmetologist who took my mom in and helped her through cosmetology school.”

Dotson’s children say their mother always modeled after her aunt, Brown, and eventually began to work in her salon once she finished cosmetology school. She worked in a number of salons across Kansas City throughout her career.

“Her passion was doing hair,” Regina said. “She was a beautician for over 60 years,” she added.

Dotson was also an avid church goer, and had a deep religious background growing up in the church and had several siblings who became Pastors. Her children say often she’d record scriptures to keep her uplifted.

“If you said you were bored, she’d tell you to sit down and read your Bible,” Rochelle Hardy, Dotson’s daughter said.

In Kansas City, Dotson, was a member of Friendship Baptist Church. There, she was part of several ministries and helped to develop a missionary group called the Mary Circle. She was also the pre-school and kindergarten Sunday school teacher, and she worked in the nursery every 5th Sunday of the month.

“She would always watch after our kids and now grandkids,” Gregory Dotson, Ruth’s son said. “They all have a fond memory of her. She loved her grandchildren.”

Her children share more memories of their mom in how she loved watching game shows like the Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune, Family Feud and sports.

“One of her favorite teams were the New York Yankees,” Danny Dotson said. “We’d laugh and say how can you live in Kansas City and your favorite team is the Yankees.”

Dotson was preceded in death by her parents, as well as her husband, Herbert Hoover Dotson, Sr., and two sons, Herbert Hoover Dotson, Jr. and Ruben Dotson.

She is survived by her sons, Danny Dotson, Gregory Dotson, and Deryl Dotson; daughters, Rosalind Dotson, Rochelle Hardy and Regina Dotson; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, church family and friends.

Other remembrances

Rose Mary Rowe

Rose Rowe, an active church member and Chief’s fan, died on November 4. She was 88.

Rowe was born on March 3, 1933 in Augusta, Arkansas, to Ivory and John Robert Nevels.

She received her education in the Augusta Public School System, attending Carver High School.

In 1954, she was joined in holy matrimony to Theodore Rowe, together they had ten children.

In the early 1950’s, the Rowe family moved to Kansas City. Rowe worked in the laundry service industry at Plaza Ford Ideal for many years. After her husband became ill, she stopped working to become his full-time caregiver.

She was a member of the Greater Antioch Missionary Baptist Church—which later became Bethlehem Antioch Baptist Church—where she served on the Usher Board. Family says she later united with Fellowship Right Baptist Church where she served on the Usher Board and on the Mother Board.

Family say she had a flair for cooking and that her food would just melt in your mouth and was accentuated by any extra dash of love. In addition to cooking, her favorite pastimes included traveling with her family, going to the casino with her sister Lula, and watching the Kansas City Chiefs at home with her children and grandchildren.

Rowe is survived by her three daughters, Rose Rowe, Theodora Rowe, Rowena Elbert; three sons, Garrett Rowe, Lynn Rowe, and Donald Rowe; her brother, Ivory Nevels; 16 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

Mark Rennie Anthony Gordon

Mark Gordon, devoted father and grandfather, died on October 29. He was 54.

Gordon was born on Nov. 2, 1966, in Kansas City to Rennie and Cheryl Riley Gordon.

He graduated from Central High in 1985.

Gordon worked at Liberty Fruit for two years. He also worked at Vance Brothers for several years.

Family says he enjoyed spending time with his son and granddaughters. He also enjoyed over the road truck driving, cars, motorcycles, fishing, and horseback riding.

Gordon is survived by his mother, Cheryl Turner; sons, Markus Fight, Antonio Gordon, Unique Gordon, Marvell Fight; brother, Raphael Gordon; sisters, Renna Gordon, Renee Gordon; granddaughters, Ma’Kiyla, Kiyoshi, Kymani, Kuhlia; nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.