Jessie Weir Dortch, 85 of Paducah passed away at 8:59 a.m. Monday at her home.

Mrs. Dortch was a member and Elder at First Presbyterian Church of Paducah for 65 years. She was a retired first grade teacher and spent 25 years as an educator at multiple area schools including Clay Elementary, Cooper-Whiteside Elementary, Northside Elementary, and Jackson Elementary. She was the Regional Volunteer Director of the Mother’s March of Dimes against Polio. Mrs. Dortch was the co-founder of the K.E.Y.S. afterschool program and had a lifelong interest in the needs of children and was instrumental in promoting organizations dealing with children’s welfare.

Mrs. Dortch is survived by her children Marion Rosser and husband Robert of Lafayette, LA, Jessiann Dortch McCarthy of Paducah, and Orrin Nat Dortch Jr. and wife Jo of Paducah; nine grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Orrin Nat Dortch Sr.; two sisters; five brothers; and a son-in-law William McCarthy. Her parents were John Edgar and Willie Flowers Weir.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday at the First Presbyterian Church of Paducah with Rev. Lynn Shurley and Rev. Gregory Waldrop officiating. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday in the Memorial Hall of First Presbyterian Church of Paducah. The family would like to especially invite any of Mrs. Dortch’s former first grade students.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the First Presbyterian Church, 200 N 7th Street, Paducah, KY 42001, or to the Nat Dortch Sr. Endowed Scholarship Fund c/o WKCTC, P.O. Box 7380, Paducah, KY 42001.

You may leave a message of sympathy and light a candle at www.milnerandorr.com.