Mrs. Peggy W. Dortch, was born on Sunday, March 20, 1938, in Tuscumbia, Alabama where she lived until 1956, and she visited often.

During her stay there, she was very active in church and school activities. Having confirmed Christ at the age of nine, she joined First Missionary Baptist Church and served as Sunday school teacher of the Primary class at a young age until she graduated from high school. She also served as secretary of the Sunday school during this period. After moving to Talladega, Alabama in 1959, she united with Jacob’s Chapel C.M.E. Church where she prepared the church bulletin for thirty years, taught Sunday school for a number of years, and served on the Stewardess Board.

Having graduated as Valedictorian of her class at Trenholm High School in 1956, she joined a work-study program at Alabama State University and graduated with honors with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in 1959. Her Master’s degree was earned at Jacksonville State University. In 1959, she joined the Talladega College Staff as Secretary to Dean of Students; later becoming a teacher at The Sessions School of Talladega College. Mrs. Dortch was one of the first group of teachers to integrate Talladega High School. Her work history began at age ten and continued until she retired from her occupation in 1994.

She was also a Charter Member of the Talladega County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Mrs. Dortch was united in Holy Matrimony on June 24, 1961, to Mr. Clarence Dortch, Jr., and to that union were born two children: Clarence Dortch, III and Carla Michelle Dortch.

She leaves to mourn her passing two children, Clarence Dortch, III (Floretta) and Carla Michelle Dortch; two grandchildren, Clarence Dortch, IV (Tuwanda) and Thayer J. Truss (Cornelius); two great grandchildren, Zuri G. Dortch and Naima C. Truss; three brothers-in law; seven sisters-in-law; many nieces, nephews and cousins; beloved friends, Mrs. Merline Rice, Ms. Julia Newsome, Ms. Demetria Kelly and Mrs. Tawana Kelly; and countless friends.