Dorothy LaVon (Criswell) Mogy
August 16, 1937-December 21, 2021

Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond's glint on snow.
I am the sun ripened grain. I am the gentle Autumn rain.
I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there; I did not die.
Just like from the start. I live in your heart.
(Mary Elizabeth Frye)

It is with deepest sadness that we share that Dot Mogy passed away at Rainey Hospice House in Anderson, South Carolina at 12:07am on December 21, 2021 at the beautiful age of 84. Her passing was peaceful, surrounded by phone calls and photos of her beloved family and friends and in the company of her children. She was a beloved mom, GG, Grandmommy, GeegMeister, sister, wife, aunt and friend. She leaves a legacy of unconditional love, strength, and resilience for all those in her life.

Dot was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Sam Mogy, their loving son, Richard Mogy, her adored grandson, Danny Brown, both parents McKinley & Fannie Criswell, many loved brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, and friends. She is survived by her sister, Betty Bell of NC; 7 children-Candi Siwinski, Howie Atkinson (Cindy), Trish Brown, Jerry "Bubba" Atkinson and Donna Chappas (Michelle), Wayne Mogy and Denisha Cotter; 11 grandchildren-Beau (Kate), Paul (Sam), Alyssa (Britt), Danny, Lindsey, Jeremy, Matthew, Darby, Joseph (Lauren), Matthew, Phil (Regan) and 5 great-grandchildren-Landon, Avery, Ian, Waylon, Baby Liam (on the way) and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

Dot lived her last week as she did her life-to the fullest. She loved traveling and being on the road. Many of her most joyful times were spent traveling the road with her husband, Sam, before his passing in 2006. Their travels to Mississippi, Las Vegas, Oklahoma, Oregon, New York, Mexico, Florida, were filled with laughter and fun and she treasured those memories.

In the later years she would "hit the road" with her son, Jerry, and together they visited many places along the East Coast, sharing laughs, delicious food, and stops of interest. Always the optimist, Dot loved playing poker and slots, hoping to strike "the big one" for her family. She was generous beyond measure and often made the finals of poker tournaments during which she encouraged the players to split all winnings to do the greatest good for the greatest numbers.

Her greatest joy was her family and friends and no gathering was complete without her. Active and engaged in life up to the Friday before her passing, she enjoyed her time in Florida at the Villages, visiting and enjoying meals with her family, watching & attending DWTS performances with her daughters and granddaughter, seeing her great-grandchildren, playing cards and sharing meals with her friends in SC.

In the last few years, she enjoyed visits with all of her loved ones. She was able to visit her sister, Betty, in NC, attend the weddings of Howie & Cindy, Paul & Sam, and Alyssa & Britt. graduations of her grandchildren and events with her friends. She was overjoyed to meet her great-grandchildren-Landon (2 yrs) & Avery (9mos) and received daily photos of them which thrilled her.

She never met a stranger and had a way about her that inspired everyone she met to pull her into their confidences and share life stories with her. Compliments to her personal belongings would often find her gifting them to the person sharing. Her unending power to show up for those she loved was a model for all.

A memorial celebration of life will be held April 11, 2022 at 11:00am at Beaufort, SC National Cemetery. All who wish to attend are invited pending Covid protocols. Those who plan to attend should call the cemetery closer to the date and confirm admittance.

All who knew her will miss her dearly and smile often at the fond memories of times together with her.

(Both poems quoted hung on her memory board and represented her wishes upon her passing.)

Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
I am I, and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other, that we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name; speak to me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no difference in your tone, wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always wasl
Let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was; there is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner.

All is well.
(Henry Scott Holland, Canon of St. Paul's Cathedral)