Dorothy Temple

Dorothy "Dot" Parker Temple, 64, passed away January 15, 2018, in her home in
Sherwood, embraced in the arms of her beloved husband of 42 years, Phillip L. Temple.
Together they raised a daughter, Jenny Temple Beritiech (husband, Jacob), a dog-son Jackson,
and numerous "adopted" children. She was a larger than life personality with love and a smile
for everyone she met. She lived her faith and devotion to others through her work in the
community, the nation, and internationally.
Dot was greeted in Heaven by her parents, Clarence and Oma Parker, and all of her
siblings, Betty Moncrief, Von Watkins, Sonny Parker, and Donald Parker, along with several
friends and extended family who have gone before her.
She was born in Stuttgart, AR on January 18, 1953 and graduated from Stuttgart High
School in 1971. She attended business classes at Capital City Business College in Little Rock
and started working for the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service in 1972.
During her time with the Cooperative Extension Service she helped build and expand the
LeadAR program, with three successive directors, from the very first class until her retirement in
2012. Through her work with LeadAR she facilitated seminars, workshops, and trips focused on
educating Arkansans as leaders in their communities focused on addressing critical issues. By
Class 15, Dot was retiring and had traveled to over 15 countries covering every continent except
Africa and Antarctica - and leaving with newfound friends and adopted family in every country
she visited.
As 27-year members of Cornerstone Bible Fellowship, she and Phil were active
hometeam members and participants in the church's community outreach programs and
considered the majority of their congregation as extended family. Dot was the original Temple
to find Cornerstone, attending Creative Women with her neighbor, and being greeted by a
community of women and their families that embraced her. It was only a matter of time before
Phil and Jenny were regular attendees. As Jenny grew up and church friends and school
friends hung out at the house, Ms. Dot and Mr. Phil became Mama Dot and Daddy Phil to a
large community of kids and adults alike. The Cornerstone community has been with the
Temples through many struggles, sorrows, and joys.
After Dot and Phil had both retired, their time was spent enjoying relaxing and working
on the family property at Greers Ferry, Dot's happy place, along with traveling with their dear
friends Rhonda and Rick on various adventures. Retirement also allowed Dot to focus on her
love of collecting. She loved collecting perfume bottles (especially unique ones), angels,
figurines, all the Santas you can imagine, Christmas decor in general, Candlewick crystal, and a
few others, but you get the picture. Dot loved spending her time with her husband doing
activities like canning tomatoes, cooking homemade jellies, making wreaths and bows, brushing
Jackson, watching TV, and cheering on the Hogs.
She was creative, energetic, positive, compassionate, and loving. She would never
have admitted it, but she greatly impacted so many people's lives and she will be sorely missed.
Memorials in Dot's name will be set up with the Coop. Ext. Service for LeadAR (checks
payable to ADC, memo Dot Temple, send to U of A Coop. Ext. Service - LeadAR, 2301
University Ave., Little Rock, AR 72204) and with Cornerstone Bible Fellowship (checks payable
to CBF, memo Dot Temple, send to 7351 Warden Rd., Sherwood, AR 72120).