Dorothy T. “Dottie” Trexler Pilley, 84, of Frankfort, passed February 15, 2025 at Wesley Manor. She was born December 29, 1940 in Wilkes-Barre, PA and was the daughter of William Fleming and Pearl Cora (Schrey) Trexler.
Dorothy was a 1958 graduate
of Elmer L. Myers High School, where she was a member of the band, choir and orchestra, and was a life member of the Modern Music Masters Organization. During her high school years, she was a member of the Wilkes-Barre Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Wilkes-Barre Stegmaier Gold Medal Band. She was a recipient of the “Curved Bar” award, the highest award in Girl Scouting, so named during the years of 1940-1963, in Wilkes-Barre, PA. While she was also accepted to the Juilliard School and Texas A & M, she chose JBC. She received a Bachelor of Sacred Music Degree in 1962 from Johnson Bible College University (JBC), Knoxville, TN, with a major in piano, and a minor in organ and voice. During her years, she was the accompanist for the college choir. She organized and directed a children’s choir on the campus, and was instrumental in organizing a women’s trio of fellow classmates, the “Evangelettes”, who traveled to Christian churches in the East Tennessee are for worship services and/or revivals.
She was previously employed as the secretary for the Clinton County Council on Aging, transferred to become the bookkeeper for the Paul Phillippe Resource Center, where she organized and directed the ‘Senior Center Choraliers’. The group participated and placed 2nd at the Indiana State Fair Seniors Division. She served as secretary for the Board of the Frankfort Community Housing, Friendship Village, Lohsl Lane, Frankfort. She was employed as the administrative assistant at Central Christian Church, (Disciples of Christ) Lebanon, IN from June 1997 until her retirement in December 2009. In churches in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana she organized and/or directed Children’s and Adult Choirs. For years, Dottie played for weddings, funerals, and accompanied young people in their school/church music programs. She enjoyed the opportunity to provide piano music programs at Wesley Manor, which she fondly named ‘2nd Monday Music’.
Dottie was Past Worthy Advisor of Wilkes-Barre Assembly #45 International Order of the Rainbow for Girls in Pennsylvania, and a Past Mother Advisor of Kirklin Assembly #57 in Indiana. She was a Grand Trumpeter for the Pennsylvania Grand Assembly, held at Penn State University, State College, PA. She is a recipient of the Grand Cross of Color, the highest award that can be bestowed upon a Rainbow girl or adult. She was a member/organist of Clinton Chapter #6 Order of the Eastern Star, and a 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, life member of Modern Music Masters Society, member of American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, Kiwanis Distinguished Service Award, and a member of Johnson Legacy Society. Dottie was a member of the Community Christian Church, Frankfort and has served on the Staff of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) since August, 1983, as Organist, Handbell Choir Director, and Chancel Choir Director, retiring in 2023.
Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Deborah Lee (Jeffrey) Messinger, and many cousins -especially Richard F. DeVine, Bristol, CT. She is also survived by Jill A. Carroll, a friend for years in the ministry of 1st Christian Church, Disciples of Christ.
Visitation will be 12 Noon ~ 2 p.m. Thursday, February 20, 2025 at Goodwin Funeral Home, 200 S. Main St., Frankfort, with the O.E.S. memorial service to be held at 2 p.m. Funeral services will follow the O.E.S. service at the funeral home. Burial will be in Green Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dorothy Trexler Pilley Permanent Fund, c/o Johnson University, 7900 Johnson Drive, Knoxville, TN 37998, (the fund was set up to provide financial support to students in need) or the charity of the donor’s choice. Please visit goodwinfuneralhome.com, where you may leave a condolence.
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