Dorothy Rae Witten

Dorothy Rae Witten, 88, a lifelong resident of Charlestown, Indiana passed away peacefully in her home on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. She was born January 18, 1938 to Raymond and Esther Witten and is also preceded in death by her sister Deanne (Bill) Moore and brother Jim (Anne) Witten.

Dorothy is survived by her sister Jackie (Dwaine) Darrah and numerous nieces and nephews that she loved as if they were her own.

At the age of 12, Dorothy developed arthritis that left her unable to walk without the use of crutches. This disability in no way hindered her from living a full life and achieving great things.

Dorothy was a 1956 graduate of Charlestown High School, where she was the secretary/treasurer of her senior class, awarded Alumni of the Year in 2011 and just celebrated her 70th reunion with her classmates. She went on to attend college both at Indiana University and The University of Louisville receiving a business degree. After college, Dorothy worked for the Census Bureau, taking cartography classes in the evenings and shortly after became a cartographer for the Defense Mapping Agency where in 1974 she received the Employee of the Year award for quickly transitioning from trainee to top journeyman in the Louisville office. She later received an award at the Pentagon in 1991 for Outstanding Employee with a Disability and had the privilege of mapping the moon for our astronauts.

Dorothy enjoyed traveling and playing board and card games, but loved the game of bridge and she achieved the ranking of a Ruby Life Master. Other interests were following the Lady Cardinal basketball team, enjoying eating out with family- especially El Nopal where she enjoyed her margaritas, and volunteering for many areas that benefited her community, including working the gift shop for the Charlestown Hospital, serving on the Charlestown Beautification Committee and serving as treasurer for the Charlestown Methodist Church of which she was a lifelong member and taught Sunday School for many years.

Visitation will be held at Grayson Funeral Home on Monday, July 27th from 4:00-7:00. Her Funeral Service will be Tuesday, July 28th at 11:00 at the Charlestown Methodist Church followed by a luncheon for family and friends in Chattin Hall.

Dorothy will be greatly missed by her friends and family. Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Charlestown Methodist Church.