Dotty Leatherwood - Leatherwood.biz

Click on the Tree Icon to go to the LeatherwoodGarden.org site!

Dotty Leatherwood

(1950-2021)

Well we wouldn't be the same if it had not been for my mother (Dotty Leatherwood). She was not only a huge part of the 'shop' and 'Leatherwood Bluegrass Venue', but obviously she was a huge part of our lives. I sure can say I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her, litterally and figuratively. She taught me to always do what I wanted and felt most passionate about, and for me that was comic books at an early age, as well as music. Though she told me to 'get those books out of my living room' she helped by being supportive when I opened my comic shop in 1988 as a senior in highschool. She didn't call me crazy, she knew I could and would do it right and she helped where ever she could. Later when we bought the 1 West Warren building in 1992, she was there to help cut the ribbon. I dont know how many times she helped paint, arrange, sort, design, give advice etc., but it was a LOT and it was so much appreciated. Knowing that she believed in me, as crazy as it was to open a business at 17 years old while still in highschool, and running it 20 years before closing the doors (and then some if you count having the eBay shop and potentially maybe something to do after retirement??).

She was the family "rock" as they say, and we miss her terribly. Everything about her, her Joy and laugh, her ability to look at something and figure out how to make it better, her ability to take the $3 clearance sale plant and make it into some thriving amazing flower bed full of whatever, her love for her community and the desire to make it better for people whether they had disabilities or just needed some attention, her love for her job at the Hospital that she worked at for 40+ years. Super achievements as becoming a Master Gardener and being the first President of the Cleveland County Master Gardners (something she helped start and bring to the area), winning the Athena Award. She is missed by many around here, but none as much as My father, little brother or I.

We are working on a memorial garden. I'll post progress here as it occurs. We would love to have sponsors, volunteers, and of course visitors to the Gardens as it begins to develop. Email us if you are interested in any of these options! (Click on the Tree at the top of the page to get more information about the Dotty Leatherwood Botanical Gardens at Hanna Park!)