Dorein Paxson

Dorein Paxson was one of those special people who appreciated the many things that made life so valuable family, friends and faith. A devoted daughter, wife, mother and grandmother, Dorein lived in harmony with her beliefs and ideals, knowing that nothing was more important than the love of family. The year was 1910, Howard Taft was President, and the United States was rapidly moving from a rural environment to an industrial powerhouse. On December 28th of that year, Dorein Alfreda Erickson came into the world in Muskegon, Michigan, a bustling city on the eastern shores of Lake Michigan, to Carl and Alfreda (Johnson) Erickson. The oldest of three girls, Dorein and her sisters, Evelyn and Dallas, undoubtedly filled the house with their share of laughter, arguments and memories. Doreins family was proud of their Swedish heritage and raised the girls in the Swedish Covenant Church. Dorein was only 16 when her father died, and since her mother did not work outside the home, she and her sisters had to pitch in and help support their family. She received her education in the Muskegon Public Schools, and after graduating Dorein went to work as a switchboard operator at Brunswick. Doreins life took a new direction when her sister, Evelyn, married Bryce Paxson, and they introduced her to his brother, Garold. As fate would have it, the two began dating and fell hopelessly in love. When Garold asked Dorein to be his bride, she agreed only if her mother could come and live with them. The happy couple was married on November 6, 1937, and along with her mother, they settled into married life together in an apartment on West Southern Ave. It wasnt long before the couple became the proud parents of their only child, son Garold Jr., or Sonny, as Dorein affectionately called him. Dorein soon quit work in order to devote herself to the role of a mother. She could always rely on her mothers guidance too, since she lived with them until her death in 1955. After Sonny was out of grade school, Dorein went back to work as a bookkeeper at Reliable Auto Supply for 20 years, retiring in 1974. Church was always an important part of the familys lives. They faithfully attended Calvary Baptist Church, where Dorein was a Sunday school teacher and was active in many church activities. Family was also one of the greatest sources of happiness in their lives. They loved to spend time with relatives from both sides of the family, and there were so many cousins that they formed the Cousins Club. Later on, when Sonny was married, Dorein was thrilled to welcome a new daughter-in-law to the family, and was even more excited when she became a grandmother. Dorein simply adored her three grandchildren, Cheryl, Barbara and Gary. After she and her husband Garold retired, they traveled as often as possible to wherever her son and his family were living at the time to visit. Sadly, Dorein lost her beloved husband Garold in 1985, after 48 years of marriage. She continued to live independently in her home for a few years before moving to the Tiffany Woods Apartments, where she was a resident for 10 years. During this time, Dorein enjoyed a few fun-filled trips to Arizona and Nashville. In 2004, at the age of 94, Dorein suffered with kidney problems and had to have surgery. Although the surgery was successful, Dorein had some lasting affects from the anesthesia and continually experienced memory problems. Eventually, Dorein moved to Indiana to be closer to her son, and for the last year, she was living in a very nice nursing home, where she received great care. Dorein will be greatly missed, but her legacy of love and dedication will continue to warm the hearts of all who knew and loved her. Dorein Alfreda Paxson, age 98, passed away after a long illness on Thursday, December 24, 2009, in Indiana, just 4 days short of her 99th birthday. She is survived by her son, Garold (Catherine) Paxson, Jr. of IN; grandchildren: Cheryl (David) Gray of VA, Barbara (Charles) Smith of VA, Gary (Jody) Paxson of IL; 9 great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews & cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Garold, in 1985, sisters, Evelyn & Dallas, brothers-in-law, Paul and Bryce; and niece, Sharon Rogers. Funeral services for Dorein will be held on Saturday, January 2, 2010, at 3:30 p.m. at Clock Chapel of Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon with Rev. Terry Fulk officiating. Interment will be in Lakeside Cemetery. Visitation will be on Saturday from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Calvary Church or Evangelical Baptist Missions. Please visit Doreins memory page at www.clockfuneralhome.com where you may share a memory or sign her online guest book.