Dorothy Ann Shoemaker

AUBURN HILLS- Dorothy “Dottie” Ann Shoemaker, age 75, of Auburn Hills, Michigan passed away early Sunday, April 27, 2025, at Trinity Health Oakland Hospital, formerly St. Joseph Hospital, in Pontiac, MI. Dottie was born on March 26, 1950, in Morristown, New Jersey the oldest of Allen Robert and Rosemary Sipple Rowen’s seven children. She grew up in Lakewood Ohio and graduated from Marian High School in Bloomfield Hills Michigan in 1968. At the age of 18 she married her sweetheart, Stephen A. Barker, and they celebrated the birth of their daughter, Cara, in 1975. When Cara was 8 years old, Dottie and Steve divorced although they remained on good terms. Dottie was a hard working, devoted, single mother for a number of years until the time of her second marriage. Dottie started her career in communications at Michigan Bell as a switchboard operator. She moved up the ranks through a variety of positions and rose to the important leadership role of setting up phone systems for major clients. Dottie then went on to the real estate sector where she thrived selling houses throughout the Detroit area and surrounding suburbs. She especially enjoyed guiding young people along in the purchase of their first home. She would move heaven and earth and spent many late nights making sure her clients’ dreams came true. On August 15, 1987, she married Richard Shoemaker in the backyard of their home in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They shared many happy years together and enjoyed traveling the country together every summer that they could before his passing in 2014. Dottie was an excellent seamstress and made adorable stuffed animals and matching outfits for herself and her young daughter, Cara. She was talented in a variety of crafts and did a beautiful job on anything creative that she turned her hand to. Dottie was a wholly devoted mother and got involved with activities that interested Cara and Soul, her nephew who she raised as her son through his high school years until he joined the US Marines. She and Cara started raising rabbits together while Cara was in 4H and eventually competed in rabbit shows all over the nation, including raising several national champions. She supported and encouraged Soul in his 4H, artistic, and leadership, activities with great pride. Dottie was an active member of AA. She was a hero in that sphere and guided many who struggled with addiction on the path to turn their lives around. She greatly treasured the many friendships she made there over the years. Dottie always treated everyone who crossed her path, human or animal, with utmost kindness. She is survived by her loving daughter, Cara Christine Barker Yellott, chosen son, Soul Rowen, and stepdaughter, Marie Shoemaker; siblings, Thomas Rowen, Helen Rowen, Mary Kay Myett, Robert Rowen and Peter Rowen; step-grandchildren, Phillip Yellott, Jr. and Sammie Yellott; and former husband and friend, Stephen Barker. Dottie was preceded in death by her parents, and husband, Richard Shoemaker; son-in-law, Phil Yellott, Sr. and stepson, Eddie Shoemaker. Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Wagley Funeral Home, Adrian, with Pastor Donearl Johnson officiating. Visitation will take place from 11:00 a.m. until the service begins at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Little Mews Kitten Rescue in Adrian. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com.

Dorothy Ann Shoemaker

March 26, 1950 - April 27, 2025