Dorothy Oakes

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.  Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

Dorothy (Ingram) Oakes embarked on her earthly journey on January 13th, 1953. She was the second of seven children born to the late Deacon Norman Ingram Sr., and Sister Mae Dell Ingram. Being born in Beaufort but raised in Martin, South Carolina, she deeply loved her family and God. Her parents ensured she knew the definition of hard work, love and compassion, which laid the foundation for an inspiring, devotional and fulfilling life.

Dorothy was the loving mother of two sons; Daniel (Brittany) Keith Oakes and Adam Blake Oakes from a marriage with Chester Oakes. She passed on the same convictions to her children, which she received from her parents. Keeping up with six siblings can prove to be a tough task, but Dorothy mastered it. She truly adored her sisters; Mary (Cleveland) Washington and Reatha (Norman) China, the latter preceding her in going home to heaven. Four brothers, Daniel (Teresa) Ingram, Lee (Prudence) Ingram, Robert (Sandra) Ingram and Norman Ingram Jr, with Norman Ingram Jr. also preceding her in his home-going. She loved and spoiled her two grandchildren, Maci Olivia Oakes and Logan Einar Oakes. Maci especially enjoyed baking with grandma and picking her brain while taking walks. In addition, to the family stated above, Dorothy would often talk and visit with so many aunts, uncles and cousins that would attest to her compassionate, caring and loving spirit. Her niece and nephew Sheila Ingram and Brian Ingram, aunts Charles Ann Foreman and Alstyne Smith and cousin Dorothy Mae Salters just to name a few.

She attended and graduated from Voorhees College in Denmark, South Carolina and enlisted in the United States Army soon after, performing as a clinical laboratory technician and eventually joining the Army Reserve. Her duties with the army would land her in Houston, TX, where her love for people not just family, would lead her to being an educator for a variety of middle and high schools in the Houston area before settling in with the Children Protective Services (CPS) for the next 30 years. At CPS, she began as a case worker and rose up the ranks to become a Program Director.  At CPS, she influenced an incredible amount of people inside and outside of their career.

While serving in the U.S. Army, she made stops in Desert Storm in 1991, Germany in 1996 and Iraq in 2004. Dorothy took delight in seeing and exploring the world, so she took advantage of these opportunities to learn about new cultures, traditions and people. Dorothy also loved interior decorating. Her home holiday decorations were stunning and her Christmas trees were a work of art. She could spend hours in home decor stores and could watch Home and Garden TV (HGTV) continuously. Dorothy collected elephant figurines, loved fancy purses and dentists would demand to take a photo of her smile because of a backwards tooth that is said to be “one in a million” in the dental industry. Dorothy was an active member of the Fountain of Praise Church in Houston, Texas pastored by Pastor Remus Wright. Dorothy enjoyed being involved in church activities, attending countless seminars and conferences. She loved lineage and family history, often reciting kinship that could build a family tree the size of a sequoia. Her memory was incredible and it seemed to get better with age. So I know she will remember we love her and will truly miss her. 

Dorothy Oakes Digital Obituary. Follow the link below to read the digital obituary

https://lmoy.me/dorothy-earline-oakes-1953-2020/

*** Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, there will be no gathering or lingering. Only three individuals will be allowed in the chapel during the same time. Once you view the body, you must leave the building and the premise.  There will be an attendant available to record your name in the Register Book. 

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