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Dorothy Faye Parker Arender, 82, of Raleigh, MS, passed away Monday, September 15, 2025, at her home in Raleigh, MS. She was born Thursday, August 12, 1943, in the Pleasant Hill community near Raleigh.
Dorothy was raised with a strong work ethic. She grew up on a farm working side by side with her mother, Mrs. Janie Ivy Parker, picking vegetables for her father, Mr. Roy “CJ” Parker, to peddle in the Jackson area.
Dorothy attended White Oak School and graduated a year early as Top of The Class. At age 16, she enrolled at The University of Southern Mississippi where she graduated with honors with a degree in biology and a minor in chemistry and psychology. Dorothy completed her training at Baptist Hospital in Jackson, MS, and soon afterwards, went to work at Magee General Hospital where she served her patients for over 50 years.
On March 28, 1964, Dorothy married the love of her life, Calvin Otho Arender, at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, and they spent the next 61 years hand-in-hand together. Dorothy and Otho have one daughter, Christy Elizabeth, and after Dorothy retired from the hospital, she went to work with Christy as the secretary at C & O Dirt Service in Raleigh.
In 2005, Christy married Anthony Smith. Along with Anthony came Dorothy’s 1st grandson, Cameron Smith, and Anthony’s mother, Mrs. Jeanette Smith, who became more like a sister to Dorothy. Cameron brought a sparkle to her eye. She loved cooking for him, and she always made sure he had new boots for his birthday. She and Jeanette loved shopping and going places together. On October 23, 2006, her Spanky (Calvin) was born. He spent weekends with her watching football and basketball and fussing over the Chiefs and Golden State Warriors. Calvin and “Mimi” shared a special bond that most kids are not fortunate enough to have.
She always wondered what she would leave behind. She left a legacy that her family, friends, and co-workers will always cherish: a hard work ethic and a life of putting God first and family next. In her last days, she lived out the faith in her Savior that her actions displayed throughout her life.
No doubt, she is with Jesus, the One she loved and talked about all her life. She loved the days working in the lab and then going to the office at C & O with Christy. She loved music from Vestal Goodman to George Strait. She loved singing, playing the piano, watching football and basketball, and making sure everyone was fed, and she would always say to us: “I firmly promise you that I’ll meet you by the river. Will you promise to meet me, too?”
Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents, Mr. CJ and Mrs. Janie Parker; her brother, Roger Dale Parker; and her sister, Linda Carolyn Parker. She is survived by her husband, Otho Arender; daughter and son-in-law, Christy and Anthony Smith; grandsons, Cameron Smith and Calvin Smith; and her very special friend, Jeanette Smith.
The family would like to thank Brandee Green, her favorite nurse, for taking care of her while she was on home health. They would also like to say a special “Thank You” to Tonya Page and Alexis Page for taking care of her the last three weeks.
Visitation will be held on Friday, September 19, 2025 from 9:30 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Magee. Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 19, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Magee. Burial will follow in Sharon Baptist Church Cemetery in Raleigh, MS. Bro. Jimmy Arender, Bro. Brad Brownlee, Bro. Hal Daigre, and Calvin (Spanky) Smith will officiate. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Magee is in charge of arrangements. 601-849-5031
