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Dorothy L. (“Dottie”) Briggs, age 86, of Zanesville, went to her eternal home on March 10, 2021 at 9:03 pm. She was the only daughter born to John Curtis Lutz and Virginia Mandell Lutz in Williamsport, PA. She and the Rev. William E. ("Bill") Briggs were married in 1956 and shared a devoted lifetime of 61 years until his death in 2017. She received her BA in Christian Education at Waynesburg University (PA) and her MA in Education, Program and Staff Development at the Ohio State University. Her early years of marriage were devoted to rearing her children and being an active lay person in her husband's congregations in Pittsburgh, PA; Canton, OH; and Zanesville, OH. When her husband's second pastorate in Canton, took them into an area where the school system was less than she hoped, she initiated an involvement as a volunteer. Several years later, when the family moved to Zanesville, she supported her husband in the organization now known as Eastside Community Ministry. They began a tutoring program called "Each One Teach One." When they could boast 50 volunteers, she approached the school board to allow her to develop a comprehensive city-wide program, which she created and managed for 15 years. Leaving that job, she served as the part-time coordinator of the Resource Center of the Muskingum Valley Presbytery in New Philadelphia. During these same years, she joined with Bill and others to form the Fellowship of Christ's Community at Central Presbyterian Church. Her contribution was in music, Christian Education, worship and in recent years a tutoring program for adult non-readers.Dottie was always a seeker in a quest to understand more fully what it means to live a deep Christian life – and share that understanding with others. As part of her own spiritual life, she completed classes in Alabama with an ecumenical group sponsored by the United Methodist Church. Additional disciplines at the Shalem Institute in Washington, DC certified her to be a Spiritual Director. In order to fulfill the requirements of sustaining her own spiritual growth, she established a Peer Ministry Group of pastors who meet regularly for Bible study and prayer.In recent years, Dottie was an active member of Brighton Presbyterian Church, where she sang in the choir and shared in the prayer and Bible study groups. She partnered with Betty Lou Stull in giving leadership to Retreats within the Muskingum Valley Presbytery, as well as Presbyterian Women's workshops. She maintained an active participation in the Fellowship of Christ's Community.She has received accolades on many occasions for her contributions to the lives of people from all walks of life, notably those on the fringes. A very special recognition as "Volunteer of the Year" was bestowed by the senior citizens group.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, twin infant sons, and a half-sister, Florence Moffitt.
She is survived by their children, Stephen Briggs (Marti) of Uniontown, Amy Parker (Al) of Blue Rock and David Briggs of Zanesville. She is also survived by grandchildren Jeremy (Missy) Briggs, Laura (Stephen) Craig, Abraham (Sarah) Parker, Joseph (Nicole) Parker, Anna (Adam) Schmitz and Grace Parker, and great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Abigail, Catherine and Jonathan Briggs, Alina and Ewan Craig, Ellis and Parker Schmitz and Elijah Parker. In addition, Dottie is survived by a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, the Rev. Keith Darr (Carole) Briggs of Brookville, PA and many nieces and nephews.
Dottie often spoke of her deep appreciation and dependence on her family and friends, especially when she needed the caring services of assisted living at The Oaks at Bethesda and Genesis Hospice. She was able to know a sense of community provided by the staff of those agencies, Brighton Presbyterian members, and the many visitors who were a part of her life.
In keeping with her lifelong spirit of generosity, she requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be directed to the Fellowship of Christ's Community, c/o Central Presbyterian Church, 40 North 6th Street or Brighton Presbyterian Church 771 Lexington Avenue both in Zanesville, OH, 43701.
Visitation will be on Tuesday March 16, 2021 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at the William Thompson and Son Funeral Home, 5765 Gladstone Dr., White Cottage, OH 43791. Additional visitation will be held on Wednesday March 17, 2021 from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at the Zanesville Christian Missionary Alliance Church 545 Richey Road Zanesville, Ohio 43701.Due to the ongoing health concerns, we kindly ask that masks or facial coverings are worn and social distancing guidelines are observed. A private family service and burial at Zanesville Memorial Park will be held later.
The family invites you to visit our website to share prayers, comfort, memories, and condolences on Dottie's tribute wall:
https://www.williamthompsonandsonfuneralhome.com/obituary/DorothyDottie-Briggs
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service for all to come celebrate Dottie's life and ministries as a servant to Christ will be held on Sunday July 18, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. It will be held in the sanctuary of Central Presbyterian Church located at 40 N. Sixth Street Zanesville, Ohio 43701. Please contact Steve or Marti Briggs at (330-699-0049 or stephenbbriggs1@gmail.com) for more details.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dorothy "Dottie" L. (Lutz) Briggs, please visit our floral store.