NEWS

Barbara died on August 8, 2023, her 42nd wedding anniversary, after a brief hospitalization.

She was raised in Charlotte, lived in Davidson, North Carolina for 25 years, and moved to Lake Norman in 2021. Barb was the only child of Henry and Isabelle Helms. She graduated from East Mecklenburg High School in 1976, and then from Wake Forest University in 1980 where she was a member of the SOPH society and part of Grace’s Aces hall her freshman year.

Those who knew her, knew Barb to be a caring, kind, considerate, and compassionate soul. She was multi-talented. She was a ballroom dancing junior national champion, an accomplished seamstress, a room mother and PTA president, she chaired a summer vacation bible school at Providence Baptist Church, taught Sunday School, and led children’s choirs.

She loved Golden Retrievers and fostered many over the years (which did not always sit well with her own Goldens), was an East Meck letter girl, and she excelled in telecommunication sales after college. She loved sports and taught piano and guitar lessons.

Barb had a creative mind with a knack for design and was in the midst of renovating the family’s home on Lake Norman when she passed. She loved and raised two strong, talented, and independent daughters. She was a loving wife. She was “Baba” to her granddaughter. Barb enjoyed the lake, the beach, and the mountains. She was known to be a social creature and was blessed with friendships that lasted a lifetime, and never knew a stranger. Her range of interests might best be described by her jobs during the summer before her senior year at Wake – backyard Bible school teacher by day, Whispers waitress by night. Barb was an absolutely beautiful lady inside and out.

Barbara is survived by her husband Robert C. Dortch, Jr., and two wonderful daughters: Lauren Dortch-Crozier and husband Robert Crozier (New York), and Lindsey Dortch Brock and husband Phillip Brock (Asheville). Barb’s pride and joy was her granddaughter Cora Mae Brock (7) who was just learning to water ski when Barb passed. Barb is also survived by aunts and uncles and dozens of cousins with whom she grew up and truly loved. She was loved by many and will be missed by all who knew her.

Unfortunately, in recent years, Barb struggled with several health-related issues which ultimately resulted in her recent hospitalization.

The family is planning a celebration of Barb’s life for the fall of 2023. In lieu of flowers, please consider remembering Barb by making a donation in Barb’s memory to your favorite charity, The Golden Retriever Rescue Club of Charlotte, the Alzheimer’s Association, or by creating art or attending a Wake Forest game and pulling for the Deacs. Be kind to each other.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store. (Obituary published on Legacy.com by Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory on August 16, 2023.