Dorothy W. Lawlis, age 88, of Indianapolis, died on Friday, September 01, 2006 at Saint Francis Hospital. She was born on July 20, 1918, in Sandborn, IN, to George and Chloe (Wood) Sanders. Dorothy lived 83 years in the same house which was occupied by four generations of her family. She was the joint owner of a farm that had been in the family for over 100 years.
Dorothy graduated from Sandborn High School as valedictorian of her class. She received an associate degree from Vincennes University in 1938, a bachelor's degree from Franklin College in 1940 and M.S. Degree in Botany from Indiana University in 1947.
On December 24, 1946, she married Chelsea Lawlis. She is survived by her husband and three sons: Stephen of Pisgah Forest, NC; Mike of Indianapolis; and Philip of Lewisberry, PA, as well as ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
She taught high school at Frichton, Edwardsport, Vigo Township, and North Knox. Her principal subjects were mathematics and biology. When she retired in 1984, after thirty three years of teaching, the North Knox School Board presented a citation to her for dedicated teaching. She was known as a demanding teacher and after graduation many of her former students returned and thanked her for expecting so much of them. Dorothy was very interested in plants, flowers, trees, and birds and traveled throughout the United States to study them.
She was previously a member of the Bethel Baptist Church, Sandborn Baptist Church, and most currently a member of Grace Evangelical Church in Indianapolis. She served as pianist for fifty years at the first two churches. She was also an active member of the Gideons International Auxiliary and served in its jail ministry. She was also a board member and officer of the Bethel Cemetery Association.