The Shadow
Dorothy “Dottie” Belle Gaylor
Dorothy “Dottie” Belle Gaylor passed away on Thursday, September 24, 2026, in Roanoke, Va.
Born on May 24, 1942, in Covington, Va., Dottie maintained a lifelong connection to the community she considered her home. She spent a good part of her life in Covington, and that enduring bond remained a defining part of her story.
Dottie devoted 33 years of service to Hercules in Covington, where she worked as an accountant until her retirement in 1994. Her long career reflected a steady commitment to her work and to the place where she built much of her life.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Iva Belle Gaylor, in 1994, and by her lifelong partner, Burl Higginbotham, in 2025. Her memory remains with her cousins, friends, and all who knew her.
Dottie is remembered for her love, kindness, and sweet spirit, as well as for what many knew as her heart of gold. She also had a distinctive eye for design and style, a gift that reflected her individuality and added another dimension to the way she moved through life. Her warmth and steady presence left a lasting impression on those around her.
As family and friends reflect on her life, they remember the years she spent building a meaningful life rooted in Covington, the dedication she brought to her career, and the love and kindness she had for others. Dorothy “Dottie” Belle Gaylor will be remembered with affection, appreciation, and gratitude for a life well lived.
