Obituary of Dorothea E. Barwick

Dorothea (Dotty) Elizabeth Kissh Barwick gained her eternal reward on Thursday, January 9, 2025. Born on October 16, 1939, in Astoria, New York, Dotty lived a life filled with love, faith, and service.

A prayer warrior and a prolific writer, Dotty was a published poet whose verses reflected her deep faith and love for Jesus. She, along with her husband Bill, loved Southern gospel music and often attended concerts. Dotty served tirelessly in her church, where her warmth and enthusiasm inspired everyone around her. Her talents were as varied as her interests: she was a gifted seamstress who sewed beautiful clothes for her children, a fantastic cook known for the delicious food she prepared, and a skilled medical transcriptionist. Dotty was known for her outgoing spirit, beautiful smile, kind nature, desire to share the gospel with everyone she met, and commitment to praying for those in need.

Dotty was a special lady whose life was a testament to grace and love. Her entrance into Heaven has undoubtedly been filled with joy and awe as she meets her Lord and reunites with friends and loved ones, including her parents, John & Ruth, and beloved grandson Ellis, who went before her. One can only imagine her amazement at the beauty of Heaven—perhaps she has already begun capturing it in a poem such as this one that she wrote:

A Letter Home

Dear Family,

I am writing a special letter just to you.

I want to tell you not to cry, I've made it safely through.

Please know that I am happy sitting here by Jesus' knee where all the hosts of heaven sing and worship God with me.

It's so beautiful in heaven and so peaceful here I know that even if I could come back, I wouldn't want to go...

The street is paved with purest gold, the trees forever green; the river flowing from God's throne is crystal clear and clean.

I have a mansion all my own, I'm filled with joy and praise:

I listen to sweet music and my voice in anthems raise.

My vision's twenty-twenty and my ears hear every sound:

I see feet that once were crippled now walk firmly on the ground.

The old are young and lively; there's no tears to fill my eyes... all the glories God has promised have come true beyond the skies.

I have everything I need now, so dear family, don't feel blue.

I'm writing you this letter just to say... I still love you.

I'll be waiting here in heaven for us to meet again someday and I pray that you'll stay ready to be quickly caught away.

But until the trumpet's sounding and the sky is opened wide, please don't cry for me, my loved ones...

I am safe by Jesus’ side.

An original poem written by Dorothea Barwick

Dotty is survived by her devoted husband, William “Bill” Barwick, of Sumter, SC; her children Doris ”Beth” Noltkamper, Ruthann “Rae” Gunter, Lynda Penland (Doug), Robert Barwick (Jan), John Barwick (Linda), Brenda Perdue, and Michael Barwick (Dora Jane); as well as 10 grandchildren Monica, Keith, Michaela, David, Mary, Beth Anne, Adriana, Caleena, Joseph, and Tarissa; 17 great-grandchildren, and numerous foster children who were touched by her boundless love and compassion.

Dotty was preceded in death by her parents, John Kissh and Ruth Veselsky Kissh, and her grandson, Ellis Barwick.

The family will receive friends at Powers Funeral Home, 832 Ridgeway Rd, Lugoff, SC 29078 on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 4:00 PM, with a celebration of life service to immediately follow in Powers Funeral Home Chapel at 5:00 PM. An interment will take place at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia, SC 29229 on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Dotty’s memory to the Concord Baptist Church Building Fund, 1885 Myrtle Beach Hwy, Sumter, SC 29153 or to a nonprofit of choice that provides support for foster children.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to MSA Hospice Nurse Cassie and to CNA Alana and the staff at Sedgewood Manor for their compassionate care during Dotty's final days.