Dorothy Davis Windham

8/1/2021

Dorothy Davis Windham passed away peacefully at home on July 31, 2021, at the age of 87, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on July 5, 1934, to Mack and John Davis in Ruston, Louisiana. A funeral service was held August 4 at 2:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church in Cotton Valley. 

Dorothy grew up in Cotton Valley, where her determination was apparent at a young age. According to a favorite family story, a three-year-old Dorothy confiscated the kitchen scissors and cut off the braids that her mother carefully plaited each morning and Dorothy couldn't stand. Her tenacity would serve her well in the future endeavors of her career and marriage. After marrying the love of her life, Joe Windham, and graduating from Cotton Valley High School, she travelled to join her new husband in Verdun, France, where he was stationed after joining the U.S. army. There they had many adventures that became beloved stories by her family.

On returning to the States, she obtained a bookkeeping position in Ruston to help Joe pursue his undergraduate degree at Louisiana Tech. Together they moved to Port Arthur, Texas, where she attended Lamar Tech in Beaumont and received her B.S. in Elementary Education. They then moved back to Cotton Valley, where they were both employed by the Webster Parish School Board. During this time, they also finished their graduate degrees in Education at Louisiana Tech University. Dorothy was teaching at Harper Elementary School in Minden when she retired. She was a gifted school teacher with a gentle authority in the classroom, fondly remembered by many of her students.

In addition to a mutual passion for education, Dorothy and her husband shared a deep and abiding faith. A talented musician, she assisted Joe at the churches he pastored by playing the piano and leading the congregation in song.

Dorothy was a loving, devoted wife, mother, and indulgent grandmother. "Nonnie" was famous among her grandchildren for her special spaghetti dinners and pancake breakfasts when they visited her house in Cotton Valley for sleepovers. During holiday gatherings, her highly entertaining rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas in her unique vibrato styling is still warmly remembered.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Joe Windham, her parents, Mack and John Davis, and her only brother, Joe Davis. She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Windham McInnis, husband Philip, and her son Mark Joseph Windham, wife Sumer. Surviving grandchildren are Jennifer Windham Perryman, Jessica Windham Compton, Margaret McInnis Weeks, husband Stephen, Mark Philip McInnis, Jr., wife Lucy, Jordan Windham Dabel, husband James, Lauren Windham Spurlock, husband Coltan, and Joseph Lee Windham. She is also survived by her great grandchildren, Emma Skye McKenzie, Millie Ann Perryman, Ellie Kate Perryman, Jace Compton, Michael Lane Dabel, Josie Spurlock, and Olive Dabel.