Brenda Kay (Lewis) Dotson, 68, of Defiance, Ohio, peacefully passed away while her children, husband, and sister were by her side on Monday, May 5, 2025.
Brenda was born on November 18, 1956, in Clay County, Kentucky, to Betty Louise (Killion) Lewis and Lawrence Pearl Lewis. She was the oldest of five and instinctively took on a maternal role with her siblings from an early age. Her family moved between Kentucky and Ohio throughout her childhood. When they settled in Continental, Ohio, during her senior year of high school, Brenda quickly formed deep friendships that she cherished for the rest of her life. She was crowned Continental High School Homecoming Queen in 1974.
From 1974 to 1978, Brenda attended The University of the Cumberlands (formerly known as Cumberland College), where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology. While in college, she participated in judo and was a proud member of the 1976 NCAA Collegiate Judo Championship team. On August 21, 1978, Brenda began working at General Motors in Defiance as a General Foreman. At a time when women in leadership were rare in the industry, she made a lasting impression and took pride in her role. Brenda retired on December 1, 2011, after 33 years of dedicated service.
Brenda met her husband, Pat, in high school. They began dating in 1979 and were married on December 31, 1989, in Louisville, Kentucky. Throughout more than 40 years together, they shared a beautiful life and were blessed with two children, Dylan Patrick Lewis Dotson and Raven Mariah Dotson. Brenda devoted her life to her children, fostering their love of sports and sharing a mutual passion for the Detroit Pistons. Even while battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2005, she attended every game and event that her children participated in. Her love extended into lifelong friendships, many spanning decades. Her smile and laughter lit up every room, and those joyful traits live on in her children. She will be fondly remembered as a devoted wife, loving mother, proud Grammy, true matriarch, a force to be reckoned with, and a deeply cherished friend. Her light touched many, and the memories she created will be shared for generations.
Brenda is survived by her husband, Pat Dotson of Defiance, OH; her children, Dylan (Jennie Mussar) Dotson of Las Vegas, NV, and Raven (Tad) Dotson of Dublin, OH; her grandchildren, Dex Dotson-Mussar, and his baby sister arriving this summer; her beloved grandpuppies, Luther, Griffin, Leo, and Leia; her sister, Cindy (Dave) Gustwiller; her brothers, Lawrence Lewis and Kenneth (Cannina) Lewis; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews whom she loved dearly.
Brenda was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence Pearl Lewis and Betty Louise Lewis; stepmother, Shirley Lewis; brother, Michael Pearl Lewis; niece, Farrah Croninger; and her beloved Great Danes, Megan and Norah.
A celebration of Brenda’s life will be held at Schaffer Funeral Home South (1753 S. Clinton Street in Defiance) where friends and family may gather on Thursday, May 8, 2025, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., and Friday, May 9, 2025, from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with viewing one hour prior. Brenda’s final resting place will be at Riverside Cemetery in Defiance.
The family invites those wishing to express sympathy to consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, causes Brenda passionately supported.
In honor of her love for nature’s quiet beauty, especially the soft fragrance of lilacs, the family kindly invites those wishing to send flowers to consider lilacs or arrangements that feature them. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com
