Octavia Harris Dotson

Octavia Harris Dotson, 88, passed away on May 13, 2025 in Lake Charles, LA. She was born on January 18, 1937 in Oakdale, LA to Frank Harris and Viola Willis Harris.

She was devoted to her husband and her family. She had many friends over the years that she cherished and were like family to her. She spent many afternoons at her kitchen table having coffee with friends. Later in life, she spent hours on the phone staying in touch with family and friends.

She was dedicated to the Lord and expressed her faith through praying for others, sending meaningful cards and giving of her time to her church. She and her husband began attending Twelfth Street Baptist Church shortly after their marriage and were members there for twenty-five years. They were charter members of East Ridge Baptist Church. She attended University United Methodist Church with her daughters for the last two years.

She had a wide variety of hobbies. She made all the clothes her girls wore until they were in high school and then made all their formal dresses. She loved flowers, and her yard was filled with them. She collected bears having over 100 at one point, baked and decorated cakes for many occasions, she volunteered at the Lake Charles Memorial Hospital Gift Shop for over 35 years.

Her family had their favorite dishes that she loved to prepare for them including cornbread dressing, soup, pancakes.

Those left to cherish her memory are, her daughters, Gayla Abshire (Allen) and Jayne Muzzy (Wayne); her grandchildren, Lane Saucier, Rev. Dr. Megan Saucier (Jason Stanley), Justin Benevage (Emily), Michael Muzzy, Jeff Muzzy, Jason Abshire (Meagan), Jerod Abshire (Laryn), and Brandon Abshire (Sarah); her great grandchildren, Jayne Carter and Alice Stanley, Adele, Dotson, Lola and Remi Benevage, Keslyn, Addilyn and Emersyn Abshire, Meredith and Jason Abshire, Jr., and Henry Abshire; and her sister, Doris Vaughn (Mike).

She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, William "Billy" Dotson; her parents, Frank and Viola "Ola" Harris; her brothers, Elder "Buddy" Harris, Albert "Bootsie" Harris, and Horace McDonald; and her stepmother, Annie Harris

Octavia's Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 17, 2025 in the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel, 4321 Lake St., with the Rev. Angela Bulhof and Rev. Dr. Megan Saucier presiding. Burial will follow in Prien Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 10:00 AM until the start of the service at 1:00 PM.

The family would like to give special thanks to Peggy Bellard, her sitter and friend, along with the staff of Brookdale Senior Living and Brighton Bridge Hospice for their love & devotion and compassionate care.