Dorothy McNeill Boutwell

Dorothy (Dot) McNeill Boutwell, (93 years), a long-time resident of Baton Rouge, entered fully into the presence of the Lord on June 21, 2023, surrounded by her close family. Dorothy was a faithful woman who loved the Lord, her family, church, and community. She was born in Laurel, Mississippi in 1930 and was the only daughter of Ed and Edna Mae McNeill.

Dot grew up in Laurel during the Depression and even though money and jobs were scarce, a very supportive family and small-town atmosphere made her life comfortable and happy. She graduated from Laurel High School and then attended Jones County Junior College in the late 1940s, where she met her future husband, Lee Boutwell. They married on January 3, 1951, in a simple ceremony in the home of Dot's parents. A few years later they moved to Baton Rouge, where they would live out their lives humbly raising their children and developing deep roots in their community.

            Dot poured her energy, passion and gift of organization and leadership into volunteering in her community.  She served in PTA leadership roles at both the local and district level during the years her children attended elementary school and continued volunteering in schools even after her children were grown.  Dot later became an income tax expert and spent many long hours preparing income taxes for the public, teaching other tax preparers, as well as managing H&R Block’s main tax office in Baton Rouge from which she retired after 25 years. Dot also volunteered for several years preparing income taxes for the elderly.  In later years, she became very active at Sherwood Baptist Church where she served on several committees, became involved with Women on Mission, served on the pastor search committee, and assisted in welcoming the church partnership with Living Hope Fellowship.

Dot enjoyed traveling and was always planning her and Lee’s next adventure. They traveled to Europe several times. Traveled all over the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii.  They even took a cruise through the Panama Canal just to say they had done it. They loved visiting family scattered all over the country and touring each area. 

Dot's passion was her family, travel, politics, and LSU sports, and she could talk for hours on each topic. She was a person of laughter as she related the events of her life. Dot was best known for her quick-witted humor, determination, loving spirit, and easy-going nature.  Dot also shared her gift and love for hospitality during each season of her life, as she often volunteered to host gatherings in her home. Dot leaves a legacy of a lifetime of serving others.

Through it all, Dot always prioritized the gift of family. Her family was her pride and joy.  She was a card player, board game enthusiast and spent many hours playing cards and board games with each of her grandchildren. She was a hands-on Maw Maw who enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren creating projects, cooking, constructing gingerbread houses and making precious memories. 

Dot was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Lee, her children, Tommy (Jeannie) Boutwell, and Patti (John) Holloway, her brother Earnest (Ellen) McNeil, her grandchildren, Ed (Katie), Jessica (Kent), Becky (Chris), John (Missy), and James, her six great-grandchildren (Adelyn, Harper, Henry, Alec, Belle Ann, Samuel) and a niece and two nephews.

Public visitation will take place 2:00 - 4:00 pm, on Sunday, June 25, 2023, as well as  9:00 - 10:00 am on Monday, June 26, 2023. A funeral service will take place Monday, June 26, 2023, beginning at 10:00 am, with interment following immediately after the service at Resthaven Gardens of Memory & Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70816.  Donations can be made to Living Hope Fellowship Church, 1180 South Flannery Road

Baton Rouge, LA 70815.