Dale Dotson

Dale Dotson, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 20th at the age of 84. Originally from Waynesville, North Carolina, she came to Cleveland with her family in 1975. She is remembered as a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a very dear neighbor and friend. She was also known as a stylish businesswoman with a unique approach to design and hospitality.

After graduating from Waynesville High School, Dale attended Brevard College in Brevard North Carolina on a music scholarship. She left North Carolina after starting her family, subsequently relocating to Florida, Georgia, Iowa, and New Jersey before making her home in Cleveland.

Dale was co-owner and operator of Today's Fashions, a women's clothing store, for many years. She later acquired Burger Galleries, which featured the art of E. H. Burger, as well as many other locally and nationally known artists. She hosted exhibits for multiple artists over the years, including Sharyn Hyatt, one of her beloved nieces. The gallery provided custom framing and Dale consulted with both business and private clients to create curated displays for their artwork. She also provided framed artwork to local businesses and area schools for display.

The Gallery received acclaim when Mr. Burger presented the framed print, "Granny", to President Reagan in 1982, and then again in 1996 when Olympian kayaker Scott Shipley's visit to the Gallery was highlighted by the presentation of one of his championship kayaks to Bosnian kayaker Samir Karabasickayak, who's own was destroyed during training.

Along with local artist Billie Nipper, she organized and promoted the Nillie Bipper Art Show which was held annually in fall at the Red Clay State Park. She also served as president of the Cleveland Creative Arts Guild where she supported local artists and craftsmen and hosted events featuring their work. The Guild was not just a venue to showcase handmade arts and crafts, but a welcoming place to gather and share friendship, inspire creativity, and foster love of the arts. Her Guild family was a source of joy for her and she valued the time spent sharing stories, talking about families, planning events, and celebrating accomplishments.

Dale is best known and beloved by those close to her for her grace, generosity, and sense of humor. She loved to entertain, and frequently hosted friends and family for holidays, birthdays, and other celebrations. She took great pride in her home, and each room was themed with layers of detail and décor she curated from vintage family treasures and unique things she found along the way. She spent hours gardening and decorating her yard with whimsical fairies and garden displays that always delighted everyone who visited.

She treasured her small town, Appalachian Mountain heritage which was celebrated in the books written by her brother Ray. She and her siblings frequently shared stories of their experiences and, characteristic of the family's storytelling tradition, the stories often became more interesting with each telling. Recounts of past and current escapades were highlights at family gatherings and frequently resulted in bouts of uncontrollable laughter. Dale had the ability to inspire those around her, and her legacy will continue in the stories and memories of those who loved her dearly.

Dale is the youngest of six siblings. She was predeceased by her parents, Frank Lee Rogers and Willie Boone (Medford) Rogers, her brothers Dean Rogers of Waynesville, North Carolina and Mark Rogers of Miami, Florida, and her sister Sarah Rogers of Crabtree, North Carolina and her loving companion, Earl Sanson.

She is survived by her children, Reggie (Jeanine) Dotson of Cleveland and Desiree (Ted) Brown of Florida; four grandchildren, Rex Dotson, Christopher Averitt, Taylor Brown, Ty Brown; and great-granddaughter, Avelyn Dotson; her brother Ray Rogers of Atlanta, Ga and sister Jane Hyatt of Columbia, Missouri. Her memory also lives on with beloved nieces and nephews, Renae Rogers of Maryland, Rheta Rogers of Virgina, Greg Hyatt of Ohio, Sharyn Hyatt-Wade of Missouri, Bradford Rogers of Atlanta, Doug Rogers of Florida, and Sandra Fobb of Florida.

A memorial service to celebrate Dale Dotson's life will be held Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Companion Funeral Home, Ridge Chapel. The family will welcome guest Noon until 2:00 pm with memorial services immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to Lee University with the notation For: Cleveland Creative Arts Guild scholarships.