Remembering Dorothy Lehton

Remembering Dorothy Lehton
Robert Lehton, President of SAMI, remembers his mother
[08.13.2006]

Longtime Cocoa Beach businesswoman Dorothy Lehton, widow of retired MSgt. Edward Lehton, went home peace- fully to be with her Lord Jesus. Surrounded by her family and caregivers, she passed away on Friday morning, August 11, 2006. Mrs. Lehton was born November 18, 1918 in Augusta, Georgia, the daughter of Owen and Grace Eubanks, longtime residents of Augusta, Georgia and Eau Gallie, Florida. After graduating from Georgia College for Women in Milledgeville, Georgia, she worked as a dietician at the Medical College of Georgia Medical Center and Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. After their marriage in Augusta in 1944, Dorothy and Ed traveled with the Air Force until their retirement. While stationed at Patrick Air Force Base, they purchased land in south Cocoa Beach and opened the Cocoa Beach Trailer Park. After Air Force retirement in 1961, the Lehton family became permanent residents of Cocoa Beach. Mrs. Lehton enjoyed her membership in the 1st Baptist Church of Cocoa Beach for many years. She had numerous friends among the tenants and winter visitors she came to know through her business.

She will be remembered as a generous and kind wife, mother, friend and landlord. She is survived by her son, Dr. Robert E. Lehton and his wife, Bunny of Cocoa Beach and her daughter, Jeni Bridwell and her husband, Bill of Seneca, SC. Her two grandchildren are Jason Lehton of Melbourne and Amy Bridwell and her husband, Thom Patterson of Atlanta, GA. She is also survived by her step-grandchildren Mark and Ryan Gellert. She had two step great-grandchildren, Hannah and Caleb Gellert. She is also survived by three nieces in Augusta, GA. She was predeceased by her step-granddaughter, Amy Gellert. Special thanks to her devoted and loving caregivers during the last years of her life: Christine Knowlton, Anne Woods, Sandy Lent, Terri Gupton and Patti Drew. The family extends deep appreciation to Dr. Robert Udell and staff and Hospice of Health First. Calling hour is Monday, August 14th at Florida Memorial Funeral Home Chapel from 5:30 p.m. until services begin at 6:30 p.m. Burial will follow Tuesday, August 15th at 9 a.m.

Donations in her memory may be made to Amy’s fund at Crosswinds Runaway Center, 1407 Dixon Blvd., Cocoa, FL, 32922 or the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, P.O. Box 515, North Hampton, MA 01061-0515. Arrangements by Florida Memorial Funeral Home in Rockledge.

Posted in Uncategorized and tagged .