Dorothy Elizabeth Felts Shanks

Dorothy Elizabeth Felts Shanks (Dot) passed away on July 7, 2026, in Clinton, MS. She was 95 years old. Dot was born August 1, 1630, in Simpson County, Mississippi to William Elberet Felts and Lois Bridges Felts.

Dot lived in several places growing up due to her father’s jobs. Her favorite places were Pascagoula and Plain (Richland). She graduated from Florence High School and Draughon’s Business College.

She married John Davis Shanks in 1950. They started their family in South Jackson where they lived fifty-one years. For over forty years, Dot was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church where she joyfully and faithfully served and worshipped her Lord, Jesus Christ. She taught Sunday School, led many youth mission trips, served on Church committees, and was a member and former president of the United Methodist Women. After Epworth closed, Dot transferred her membership to Clinton Methodist Church.

Dot was very talented and used her skills in her church life, her family, and in later years her work life. Her deep love for her family was shown in many ways. She spent the first twenty-five years of her married life at home; cooking, cleaning, sewing, running a taxi service, cub scout den mother, room mother, a member of the PTA, and anything that came with being a 1950’s and 1960’s wife and mother. Dot’s every Sunday meal of roast and rice and gravy was a family favorite. Even after her children were grown and had families of their own, they frequently showed up with their families for Sunday lunch. There was always room at the table for anyone that was hungry. She loved baking and could bake anything and always had a variety of cookies and cakes in the freezer. Young and old visited the freezer first to sample their favorite cookie. She sent John to work many days with a fresh baked cake for his friends at Lane Moak Pontiac and sent fresh baked cookies with him to some of his doctor appointments. Of course, John took credit for the baking.

Grandchildren and great grandchildren were a joy for Dot. She arranged playdates for them at her home so she could enjoy watching them have fun playing together. She would have loved to have been able to meet her new great great granddaughter.

Dot enjoyed sewing, crafts, and needlework. She made clothes for her daughters and herself. She could make anything. She made 1970’s leisure suits for John and wedding dresses for her daughters. She made stick horses, Winnie the Pooh animals, Christmas stockings, and Christmas ornaments. She made them for her children, grandchildren, and children of friends.

She began her work career as a ward clerk at Hinds General Hospital in the surgery department. She later worked for Dr. Charles Farmer, Hinds Cardiology and Gayfers.

In addition to her parents, Dot was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, John Davis Shanks; her sisters, Faynell Shipp Neely and Annie Evelyn Frasier; her brother, Ephram Kendell Felts; and her son, Timothy Earl Shanks. She is survived by her daughters, Diana Lynn Reulet (Remy) and Marcia Susan Lawrence; her sons, John Davis Shanks, Jr. (Carolyn) and William Kendall Shanks (Debbie); grandsons, John Marcus Shanks, Kenneth Preston Shanks, Alex Weems Lawrence, Michael John Reulet, Justin Lynn Reulet, and Joseph Allen Shanks; granddaughters, Abby Michelle Jennings, Erin Marie Martinez, and Amy Suzanne Lawrence; sixteen great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild.

Visitation will be 9:30am to 11:00am on Saturday, August 1, 2026 at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home in Clinton. Funeral services will follow at 11:00am with burial at Lakewood Memorial Park South.

In lieu of Flowers, donations can be made to Children’s of Mississippi at www.umc.edu/chidrens.