Dorothy Grayce Stokes-Wiker Obituary (1915 - 2014)

Dorothy Grayce Stokes-Wiker passed away quietly on March 21, 2014. She was affectionately called "Dottie." She was born in Grand Falls, TX on April 23, 1915 to Goldie and Henry Stokes. Her family moved to El Centro, CA in 1917, negotiating the old wooden plank road through the sand dunes between Yuma, AZ and Imperial Valley, CA. Dottie's father ran a milk delivery business by horse and wagon before moving his family from El Centro to San Diego, CA. Dottie graduated from Hoover High School among the first graduating class in 1932 before meeting the love of her life, Ivan William Wiker. The two were married in 1934. They were blessed with their first child, a son, in 1937. Their second child, a daughter, was born 1944. While Dottie was pregnant with their third child, a daughter, they moved to El Cajon, CA in early 1946. They built their family home in El Cajon, where Dottie remained following the death of her husband in 1974. In 2003, she moved to Lake Havasu City, AZ with her oldest daughter. Dottie worked most of her professional career within the San Diego City School District as a Principal's Secretary. Following her retirement, she furthered her education and became credentialed in adult education. She was a very talented lady who enjoyed pottery making and watercolor painting. She passed on her talents by teaching these skills as well. Dottie had a special gift with animals and a great love for them. Once, her husband brought home four quail eggs that he found in an abandoned nest. Only one chick survived when the eggs hatched several days later. Dottie raised this hatchling to maturity and it remained a cherished pet for many years. She also had a passion for seeing other parts of the world. Doing so, she backpacked in Europe on two different occasions. The last time was at the age of 75. Dottie will be sorely missed by all who loved her. She will be interred above her husband, who has waited for her since 1974. They will be once again joined together in the El Cajon Cemetery in Southern California. Dorothy will be remembered as a loving, caring and kind woman who loved the art she taught and the family she raised and mentored. She is survived by her son, Ivan William Wiker, Jr. (Carol) of Safford, AZ; her daughters, Andria Sue Leisten (Robert) of Lake Havasu City, AZ and Kathleen "Kathi" Rae Wood (Warren) of El Cajon, CA as well as five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. "We will forever love you Mom and Grammy."