Dorothy Prechter Barnes

Durango resident Dorothy Prechter Barnes joined her Lord on December 26, 2022, living to be 105 years old. Dot was a transplant from New Orleans, LA, where she was born, raised, and spent the majority of her life. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina motivated her to move to Durango to live near her two daughters, Emily Barnes (Robert) Therrell and Barbara Barnes (R. Michael) Bell. Dot’s son, Alfred Mason Barnes, III, still resides in the New Orleans area. Dot moved into Sunshine Gardens Assisted Care Home after suffering a severe bout of flu when she was 99.

Dot, daughter of George W. Prechter and Emily Rougelot Prechter, was born on Oct. 27, 1917 in her New Orleans home. She was the third of four children and has survived all her siblings. Dot married Alfred Mason Barnes, Jr., celebrating their 49 th anniversary before Al preceded her to heaven on May 24, 1997. Dot is survived by her three children, four grandchildren (Ryan Therrell, Justin Therrell, Aaron Bell and Rachel Bell Cain), and six great-grandchildren (Sydney, Arthur, Connor, Peyton, Thaddeus, and Silas) and numerous nieces and nephews.

In Dot’s youth and in the early years of her marriage, Dot was a member of St. Matthews Evangelical and Reform Church in New Orleans where she made her communion. In 1960, Al and she joined Carrollton Presbyterian Church and became life-long members. Dot graduated from McMain High School. She attended one year of business school before she was employed by Southern Bell Telephone, working there on and off for 11 years (1937-47). After marrying Al Barnes, Dot became a full-time homemaker, raising their three children and enjoying Bible study groups, the Couples Club, the Garden Club, square dancing, and Mardi Gras events. Many picnics and social gatherings were hosted by Dot and Al. Dot was a vivacious woman with a keen sense of humor and a positive outlook on life. She never lost her New Orleans accent. She always remembered her extended family with birthday and Christmas cards. She supported numerous charities. Even in her nineties, Dot prepared a weekly Thursday tuna fish luncheon for her daughters.

Dot’s cremated ashes will be buried in the Barnes family tomb in Lake Lawn Cemetery, Metairie, Louisiana.