Dorothy Jean Sparks Cannon

Dot Cannon, 88, passed away peacefully when she was given her wings by God on Sunday June 14, 2020 after a long season of declining health.  Born April 15, 1932, to Earl and Inez Kilpatrick Sparks of Gastonia, NC, she was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grand mother, mother-in-law, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband of 45 years, Rudolph “Rudy” Gordon Cannon, her sister, Joyce Sparks Rhyne of Greensboro, NC and her son in law, David Wise of Gastonia, NC.

Surviving are her son Gary M. Cannon (Judy) of Columbia, SC, and her daughter Kim Cannon Wise of Gastonia, NC.  Also of Gastonia, grand-daughters Christy Wise Turner (Lee) and Jenny Wise Hill (EJ) and great-grandchildren, Zoe, Zach and Zeth Turner and Kaleigh and Miley Hill, who lovingly called her Dot-Dot.

Dot graduated from Ashley High School, Gastonia, NC, 1950 and continued her studies at Gaston College, Alamance Community College and Queens College. She owned and operated Dot Cannon Real Estate Appraisals and Sales in Gastonia, NC for eleven years. Other professional experience included administrative positions in real estate, law, and manufacturing in Gastonia, NC and Sunset Beach, NC.

A member of the Gaston Board of Realtors beginning in 1970, she was elected President in 1986 and was awarded Realtor of the Year in 1987. She served as President of the Spindelette Chapter of the National Secretaries Association in 1974.

She had a life-long love of the coast having vacationed there for most of her life even during pregnancies when she would dig a hole in the sand so she could comfortably lie in the sun on her stomach.  She was managing partner for a family home at Ocean Drive for many years until relocating permanently to Sunset Beach, NC in 1991.  There she lived life to its fullest, spent hours on the beach, read, traveled, danced, golfed, played board games and sought to be active in the community.  A gracious hostess, she often opened her home for gatherings of family and friends for whom she loved to bake and deliver banana bread and fudge.  During her years at Sunset Beach she was an active member of Seaside United Methodist Church where she especially enjoyed helping with the annual Country Fall Festival.

Due to the COVID 19 pandemic there will be a private family graveside service. The family would like to thank the staff at Carolina Gardens, especially the Memory Care Unit and Riverview Hospice in Rock Hill, SC for their loving care during her years of residency and brief time in hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider memorial gifts to Seaside United Methodist Church, 1300 Seaside Road, SW, Sunset Beach, NC 28468 (http://seasideumc.org/online-giving/) or the Alzheimer's Association SC Chapter, PO Box 3128, Spartanburg, SC 29304 (https://www.alz.org/sc/donate) or a charity of your choice.