(obituary): Dorothy Knapp Spain, 84, passed away Sunday, January 8, 2012, at her home in Auburn, AL. Ms. Spain had lived in Auburn since 1985.Ms. Spain was born at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. She spent part of her childhood in Hawaii and Long Beach, CA. After her mother died, Ms. Spain lived with her father, Brig. Gen. Robert D. Knapp (USAF), and his relatives before attending high school at Fairfax Hall boarding school in Waynesboro, VA. Ms. Spain attended the University of Texas in Austin. In the summer after her junior year she met Col. Thurlo M. Ashton (USAF) while visiting her father in Argentina, where he was stationed after World War II. She married Col. Ashton in Buenos Aires and his military assignments took them from Argentina to Illinois, Texas, Panama, and the Pentagon in Arlington, VA. Ms. Spain lived in the Northern Virginia area from 1960 through 1985 and worked for the Travelers Insurance Company before starting a successful real estate career. She married Fredric Lee Spain 14 April 1972 (div 29 Oct 1982) and together they expanded Holley Realty from one office to multiple offices of Holley Hargett and Spain Realty. She was also active in the Virginia Republican Party. In 1985, Ms. Spain moved to Auburn to help care for her father. She continued her real estate career with Cary-Pick Realty before working for Auburn University, retiring from the College of Veterinary Medicine in December of 2010. Ms. Spain enjoyed travelling and frequently attended military functions across the United States with her father, including meetings of the Order of Daedalians and the 57th Bomb Wing Association. Ms. Spain was also a lifelong sports fan and especially enjoyed rooting for the Auburn Tigers, the Atlanta Braves, and the Washington Redskins. Ms. Spain is survived by a daughter, Kathryn Ashton of Winter Park, FL, and a son, Michael Ashton of Marietta, GA ; five grandchildren, Kellie Williams, Joe Williams, Kristi Davis, Katy Ashton, and Max Ashton; and nine great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, January 10, at Auburn United Methodist Church, 137 S. Gay St., Auburn, AL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Auburn United Methodist Church of Auburn, AL.