NEWTON FALLS - Dorothy Rex, 96, of Newton Falls, formerly of Struthers, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012, at Lake Vista Health Care in Cortland.
Born in Nashville, Tenn., on April 21, 1916, during the administration of President Woodrow Wilson, Dorothy lived a long and prosperous life. Her parents, Randolph and Annie Sue Harris, raised her in Nashville where she attended school, participating as a member of the school's girls baseball team and working as a clerk at a soda fountain.
Shortly following the death of her father, she moved to Youngstown in 1932 to live with an aunt and uncle, Alice and Jack Ennis, who adopted her.
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Dorothy Rex
While attending South High School in 1933, she met the love of her life, Thomas Rex. The two were married in 1938.
Shortly after celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary in 1998, Thomas Rex died. During their marriage, Dorothy and Thomas had two children, Georgia Kay and Thomas.
The family enjoyed traveling throughout the United States. Dorothy, along with her husband was diligently active in the West Side Baptist Church in Youngstown as well as many community groups.
In the 1970s, Mr. and Mrs. Rex volunteered countless hours collecting and distributing clothing and basic supplies for residents of the Appalachian Mountain region of Kentucky and Tennessee with the group Aid For Appalachia.
Both Dorothy and Tom enjoyed the company of their five grandchildren. Dorothy was blessed with 10 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
Dorothy enjoyed listening to the Cleveland Indians games on the radio and taking her grandchildren to Cleveland Stadium to see the games in person. While she loved the Indians, she detested the New York Yankees.
She enjoyed sharing stories of her impoverished beginnings and the changes she witnessed over her nearly century-long life.
She thoroughly enjoyed the frequent company of her family who could often be found at her home enjoying holiday dinners and regular gatherings. She absolutely adored spending time with her family, especially the great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren all of whom considered it an honor and a privilege to have known and spent time with her. She never missed an opportunity to attend a Little League baseball game, dance recital or school function starring one of her great grandchildren.
Dorothy leaves to cherish her memory, children, Georgia Stefani of Howland and Thomas (Joyce) Jr. of Garland, Texas; five grandchildren, Eric (Susan) Thompson of Newton Falls, Brian Rex of Brookings, S.D., Rex Thompson of Columbus, Ind., Amy (David) Smith of Dallas and Jay (Nikki) Rex of Austin, Texas; eight great-grandchildren, Sara (Josh) Marsh, Eric Thompson Jr., Brittney Thompson, Katlyn Thompson, Caroline Rex, Kylie Smith, David Smith, Christopher Thompson and Macy Rex; four great-great grandchildren, Nikos A. Monro, Madilyn Grace Marsh, Avery Jean Thompson and Elliott James Eugene Thompson White.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband; siblings, Randolph Harris, Ann Sawyer, William Garret Jr. and John Garret; son-in-law, Eugene A. Stefani; and great-granddaughter, Ashley Jean Monro.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Lane Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel, with a service following at 6 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Dorothy's name to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 26 Broadway Ave., New York, NY 10004.
A private interment will be at Lake Park Cemetery.
Family and friends can send condolences to lanefuneralhomes.com.
(special notice)