Dorothy Eglin Dees McKinnon

Dorothy Eglin Dees McKinnon, age 95, a life-long resident of Ocean Springs and a member of one of Jackson County’s pioneering families, passed away peacefully at her home with her daughter, Sandra, and son-in-law Pete, at her side, on Sunday evening, December 28, 2014. Dorothy was born in the Eglin House on Washington Avenue in Ocean Springs which was situated on the present site of Villa Maria Retirement Appartments. Prior to her passage she received the Last Rites of the Holy Catholic Church administered by Father Ryan McCoy. She was a long-time member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Parish and had attended Mass up until she was physically unable. She enjoyed the sounds and voices of the groups which provided the background music for the evening services. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Susan Eglin, stepmother, Gertrude Galle Eglin, first husband Jody Percy Dees, second husband, J.W. (Bob) McKinnon, her son Jeffery Dees her daughter, Robbin Ann McKinnon, her sister, Alma Garlick and her brothers, Charles, Don and Thomas Eglin . Survivors include her daughter Sandra (Pete) Halat, daughter-in-law Bonnie Lange Dees, and her beloved brother Alexis (Treva) Eglin, grandchildren Sean (Lynetta) Halat, Shea Halat, Brandyn (Shea) Skeen, Anna Kate (Will) Brown and Matthew and Nathan Dees. Her great-grandchildren include Austin Halat, McKinnon Skeen, Nolan Peter Halat, Peter Vincent and Robbin Christopher Skeen, Beau, Lucy Mac, and Mary Dot Brown and numerous nieces and nephews. Dorothy was widowed at an early age with two small children to raise. She attended the Saulet Business School in New Orleans, Louisiana. Upon receiving her Business Degree she returned to Ocean Springs and began working at the Ocean Springs State Bank where she competently and cheerfully assisted tens of thousands of customers during her long career as a bank employee. However, it was her nature that the people who did business with the bank were not only customers but also friends. With two young children at home, Dorothy needed a second job and she found one—working as a hostess at Trilby’s Restaurant which, at the time, was located in the stately white building which now houses the Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Chapel. Again, at that job, she made a host of lasting friendships. After years of service at the Ocean Springs State Bank, Dorothy was offered a position with First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Ocean Springs. She worked at the Association for many years attaining the position of Vice-President and upon her retirement she was selected to serve as a Member of the Board of Directors. At the age of 90, in 2009, after over sixty years of working in the banking business Dorothy decided that it was time to retire to be able to spend more time tending her yard and garden—a pastime she truly enjoyed. However, even at ninety, she continued to be an active member of the Ocean Springs community. Retirement gave her more time to give to her favorite charitable organization—King Daughters and Sons. There she served as a valued volunteer for over thirty-five years. But, her favorite form of giving was working at the organization’s Thrift Store on Government Street. Until about a month before her death, Dot worked the Friday afternoon shift at the shop along with her cohorts, Joe and Chris. Even when she had to use a walker she was bound and determined to help mind the shop on Friday afternoons. It was a volunteer effort which she treasured and she treated her customers with the same efficiency and good humor as she treated her banking patrons. Parting is such sweet sorrow, but “Dottie” left her family and friends with wonderful memories, the best being her infectious laugh which will remain in their hearts until all meet and laugh together again. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations be made to the St. Alphonsus St. Vincent de Paul and/or King Daughters and Sons. Visitation will be on Friday, January 2, from 10 am~12 noon, with a 12 noon Memorial Mass, all at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.