Mildred Ellen Doggett

June 4, 1925 - October 19, 2009

Mildred Ellen Leathers Doggett was born June 4, 1925 in Central City, Kentucky to the late William and May Ortkiese Leathers and passed away on October 19, 2009 at St. Elizabeth Hospice in Edgewood, Kentucky at the age of 84 years.

Mildred was united in marriage to Arthur H. Doggett who preceded in her in death on March 16, 1997. In addition to her husband and parents, Mildred was preceded in death by two sisters: Cindy Thie and Julia Oditt.

She is survived by two sons: David Doggett of Taylor Mill, KY, and Dennis Doggett of The Woodlands, TX; one brother: Tom Leathers of Union, KY; on sister: Dorothy Long of Lawrenceburg, KY; five grandchildren: Joe, Tom, Gregory, & Matthew Doggett and Sarah Boling; five great grandchildren: Caleb Boling, Bethany, Alec, Noah, and Jacob Doggett; two step-grandchildren: Blake Richardson and Kelsey Clark; and a close friend: Estill Mitts.

Mrs. Doggett was the owner/operator of Fashionette Beauty Salon in Verona, Kentucky. She was a member of the Walton United Methodist Church and was a former trustee, sunday school teacher and VBS worker at the church. She was a former member of the Walton Order of the Eastern Star and a former member of the Auxilary of the Walton Masonic Lodge.

Funeral Services will be Saturday October 24, 2009 at 1:00 P.M. at the Hamilton-Stanley Funeral Home in Verona. The visitation will be Saturday from Noon to 1:00 PM at the Funeral Home. Burial will be in the New Bethel Cemetery in Verona, KY.

From Her Son, Dennis:

Mildred Ellen (Leathers) Doggett, the third child of Lula Mae Ortkiese and William Lee Leathers began her life's journey at 4pm on June 4, 1925 in the small town of Central City, Kentucky. Her early years were near the Green River and those years were relatively prosperous considering the times. Her father was an entrepreneur and ran several different businesses in the area.

Family situations changed and day to day life was altered from one of relative prosperity to one of some struggle--but the family persevered and those early years brought the five siblings and their mother together perhaps in a way that would not have happened under other conditions. Those bonds lasted a lifetime and despite many changes, all five childred lived within a 25 mile radius of one another and shared in their life's rewards together.

Mildred graduated from high school at 16 and moved to Indianapolis to begin her adult life. She was too young to work for many companies, but it was war time and she found a job at Western Union and worked there throughout the war. Indianapolis is where she met her husband, Arthur, a soldier from Virginia who was stationed nearby. Love bloomed and they were soon engaged and married. The war took them apart, but in time with peace at hand, they started married life as it was meant to be.

Their first baby, David was born in Baltimore and with the move back to Kentucky to be near her mom and a house was bulit where she would live for the next 61 years. A second son was born, Dennis and the house became a home where two boys were raised and good times were had for the Doggetts, extended family and friends.

The 50's and 60's were years of growth, of change and developments. Mildred's mom passed, the boys grew and graduated from high school, she graduated Beauty School with the highest scores recorded at the time and set up a successful business in the front of the house to help support the family. While work was work, Mildred first had patrons, then they became life long friends and she even did the hair of many when they died. It was a commitment she felt necessary. She never took money for that last bit of beauty, but donated the payments to charity.

The following years with the boys off to college and graduated and moved on to their respective lives, got married and had kids for them and grandkids and eventually great grandkids for Mildred. Family was the #1 priority for Mildred and the more the merrier--she loved seeing the kids, grandkids and great grandkids at every opportunity--they were always welcomed.

Mildred was an artist and vibrant soul. She took up painting, winning many local competitions--she then took up wood carvings and again won local awards. Hair design requires artistry and her successful business over the decades is evidence of her ability to bring beauty and happiness into the world.

Mildred's faith was strong, consistent and real. Her lifelong commitment to God's teachings were evident in all she did. Her engagement over the decades in church was an active one, serving in many roles of helping guide others in their faith. She was a member of the Walton Methodist Church and you knew she would be there every Sunday unless health or snowy conditions prevented her from being there.

Mildred enjoyed life and laughter was always present-- while she loved her home, she took many vacations in the US, Mexico, cruises and a "once in a lifetime" trip to the capitals of Europe. Her detailed scrapbooks detailed every place she went, what she experienced and the joys of seeing new things.

A dedicated and loving wife also was Mildred. Her 50+ year marriage to Arthur was a bond never to be broken, in sickness and in health. Inthe last years of Arthur's life, she played the additional roles of nurse andhelper--never faltered,never failed. She did itall.

Friends sometimes come when you least expect it and that one dear friend was Estill over the last few years. Lots of good times, laughter, playing cards, family gatherings, talking about life and family. Companionship when she needed it the most.

Mildred aged gracefully--always carried herself well, took care of her friends, her family and stayed connected to the world. She had the energy and drive of women 20 years younger. She took care of her flowers, cut the grass, did home repair, read more books than we ever will and still did what needed to get done. She was not helpless in anyway, shape or form--even up to the very end, she was there for all. She had marked many items in her home of who should receive them with her passing, leaving no doubts or ambiguity--her wishes will be fulfilled.

The untimely end came too quickly for her and those that loved her. Her graciousness and love of life continued as her health continued to falter to the point of no return. She saw this coming and had come to peace with all who loved her...she was not afraid and was ready to move to the next world. We are all richer for knowing her and will miss her terribly, but we are all stronger and better because of her positive influence on our lives and know someday, we will be together again.