Dorothy Mae Charles, age 84, was a native of Thornwell, Louisiana. She was born June 24, 1939, to the late Joseph and Nora LeBlanc. Dorothy passed from this life and entered eternal glory on July 18, 2023, at Christus Ochsner St. Patrick Hospital.

Dorothy resided in Lake Arthur and was married to the late Douglas Charles for 59 years. She was a member of Antioch Baptist Church for numerous years where she served as Church Clerk, Mission President, Deaconess, and a member of The Senior Choir.  She also served as the Vice President of the Seventh District Missionary Baptist Association Calcasieu and Jefferson Davis Area Women's Auxiliary.  She was a member of the Esther Chapter #152 of Eastern Star.

Dorothy began her career as a clerk for the Town of Lake Arthur. She retired after 24 years of service. She was a Certified Municipal Master Clerk (MMC). She served another 15 years and 10 months as a Council Member for the Town of Lake Arthur, following her retirement. She served as the President of the Louisiana Municipal Clerk's Association. Dorothy was a commissioner on the board for the Lake Arthur Housing Authority, where she was seated as the President. She represented the community in a variety of capacities such as a board member for the Jeff Davis Parish Tourist Commission, Jeff Davis Council on Aging, Friends of the Zigler Museum, and Jeff Davis Business Alliance.  She was also a member of the Lake Arthur Library Club and the Red Hat Society Association.

Dorothy lived an extraordinary life filled with everlasting love for family and friends, success in everything that she did, and enjoyed so many adventures. She was enthusiastic about cooking delicious meals that brought joy to everyone, spending time with her loved ones, sewing, and traveling to beautiful places around the world.

Dorothy is survived by her three sons, Kirk Charles, Claude Charles, and Marshall Charles (Lacey Guidry); two daughters, Janet (Jaffus) Hardrick and Angela (Harold) Lewis; honorary son, Dwayne (Lisa) Guidry; two godchildren, Cheryl Ann (Mickey) Woods and Barbara Brown; 14 grandchildren, Shawana, Myron, Maranda, Courtney, Matthew, Jaffus V., Deziree, Christian, Jenise, Maxxwell, Jared, Maddisen, Hannah, and Paris. Fourteen great-grandchildren; one sister Albertha (Jessie) Guidry; two sisters-in-law, Lillie Charles and Bertha Mae Chris; former forever daughters-in-law, Valerie Cormier Charles and Mary Mouton; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.  Dorothy will be deeply missed by everyone who loved her, and they will cherish the memories created with her.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Nora and Joseph LeBlanc; her husband, Douglas Charles; five brothers, Robert Lee, Horace Lee, Junius LeBlanc, Albert LeBlanc, Joseph Leblanc Jr.; three sisters, Beatrice Beverly, Lovie Segura, and Deloris Collins Malveaux.

Visitation will be held Saturday, July 29, 2023, from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. at Antioch Baptist Church, 625 Iowa Avenue, Lake Arthur, LA, with Officiate Emerson Baty, Sr, Pastor presiding. Following the service, the burial will be held at the Lakeview Cemetery in Lake Arthur under the direction of Semien-Lewis Mortuary of Jennings, Louisiana.