Dorothy Thomas Wharton, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, died unexpectedly in Stuart, Florida on May 29, 2021.  Dorothy was born October 25, 1933 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Ermil and Eleanor Thomas, and grew up in Chicago, Illinois.  Dorothy graduated from Parker High School in 1951, and received her Bachelor of Arts in English in 1955 from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois.  At Knox, Dorothy met her husband, Logan Hollis Wharton, and was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority in which she formed lifelong friendships.

Dorothy and Logan were married December 10, 1955 at Peace Memorial Church in Chicago. Dorothy taught English, Humanities, and World History at T.R. Miller High School in Brewton, Alabama for nearly 20 years, and taught English at Larkin High School in Elgin, Illinois until her retirement in 1995.

Dorothy and Logan retired to the Yacht & Country Club of Stuart in 1995 to be nearer to their family.  Dorothy, a devoted "Mimi," spent her time volunteering at her granddaughters' schools, tutoring students as a homework helper with the Martin County Library System, and serving on Martin County's Library Board of Trustees. In her later years, she found great joy in reconnecting with former students and learning of her lasting impact on their lives. Dorothy was both a lifelong teacher and a lifelong learner who enjoyed traveling the world with Logan and broadening her horizons. Dorothy was known for her warmth, grace and sparkling smile. A loyal friend who was generous with her time to all, her passions included music, books, genealogy and art. Dorothy will be dearly missed by her family and friends, and the many students whose lives she touched over the years.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Margaret Clayton, and her son-in-law Walter G. Woods II. She is survived by the love of her life and husband of 65 years, Logan Wharton, of Stuart; two children, daughter Sarah Woods of Stuart, and son Thomas Wharton (Kathy) of Gulf Breeze, Florida; three granddaughters, Katherine Harris (Daniel) of Jupiter, Florida, Allison Morgan (Zachary) of St. Louis, Missouri, and Elizabeth Woods (Drew Thies) of Washington, DC; two step-granddaughters, Stevi Loucks (Luke) of Millbrae, California, and Carli Parham (Tyler) of Shelbyville, Tennessee; and five great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be planned for a future date. In lieu of flowers, please direct donations in honor of Dorothy to:

The Friends of the Martin County Library System, 2351 SE Monterey Road, Stuart, FL 34996, https://mclsfriends.org/support

Knox College, 2 East South Street, Galesburg, IL 61401, Telephone: 309-341-7233, https://www.knox.edu/support-knox/ways-of-giving

Please feel free to share a remembrance or message of condolence with the family through this online guestbook.