Dorothy "Dotty" Ballew Edwards

Dorothy Ballew Edwards, 81, of Spartanburg, passed away Sunday, January 8th, 2023.

 She was the devoted wife of the late Thomas Walter Edwards, Jr. Born February 24th, 1941, in Tryon, NC, she was the daughter of the late Forrest Pinckney and Essie Mae Pruett Ballew. Dotty grew up in Tryon, graduating from Polk County High School and Brevard College. While working with her sister, Betty, as a travel agent for Delta Airlines, she met TW, the love of her life, in the café of the Montgomery Building in downtown Spartanburg. A longtime member of Trinity United Methodist Church, she served as past President of UMW and a Lay Delegate to the UMC Annual Conference.

Loving and altruistic, Dotty was a supportive wife, mother, sister, grandmother, friend, homemaker, and business owner. She was a gracious hostess and warmly welcomed friends, colleagues of TW, and friends of Dawn & Tommy into their home. Her charming and kind demeanor was genuine, and she could make everyone she met feel at ease and uplifted. Dotty’s involvement in civic and community activities was widespread, and she served on committees, as a chairperson, or as a board member to many local and statewide organizations, including Spartanburg Technical College, The SC School for the Deaf and the Blind, The Arts Partnership, Palmetto Cabinet, and The United Way. But it was Dotty’s authentic beauty, both inside and out, that gained her recognition with so many of all ages and backgrounds.

She is survived by her daughter, Anita Dawn Edwards Baker; grandson, Thomas Ballew Wilson Baker of Mt. Pleasant; former daughter in-law, Laura Young Edwards; and granddaughter, Mary Hall Edwards of Spartanburg.

In addition to her husband of 52 years, she was also predeceased by her son, Thomas Walter Edwards, III, “Tommy;” her son in-law, I. Wilson Baker; and her siblings, Jim Ballew, Betty Alverson, and Bobby Ballew.

The family expresses loving appreciation to all of her friends at Franke at Seaside that loved and cared for her.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday, February 24th, at 2 PM at Trinity United Methodist Church, 626 Norwood Street. The family will visit with friends after the service in the Fellowship Hall.

Memorials may be made to the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind Foundation, 355 Cedar Springs Rd. Spartanburg, SC 29302, www.scsdbfoundation.org, or Franke at Seaside, 1885 Rifle Range Rd Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, www.frankeatseaside.org.