Obituary of Dorothy Fay Cale

With humble acceptance of God's will, we announce the passing of our beloved Mother, Dorothy Fay Cale, affectionately known as Dottie, on May 3, 2024. 

Dottie was born on July 16, 1925 in Cushing, TX to parents Dock and Effie (Rogers) Messec. She was a graduate of Cushing High School and McNee School of Business. In 1944, Dottie married her cherished husband Roy H Cale, marking the beginning of a shared life filled with much love and deep devotion. Roy & Dottie met at a USO dance while he was serving in the US Army Air Corps, at Ellington Field, Houston TX. Shortly after Roy’s military discharge, he moved his young bride to his home in Terra Alta, WV. They believed in, supported, and invested in their community and over the decades together owned and operated C&H Southern States Feed & Farm Supply Store, the Terra Alta Speed Wash & Dry Cleaning, and were partners in My Own Restaurant in Terra Alta. They were married for 62 years before Roy’s passing in 2007.

Roy and Dottie were the proud parents of two sons, who survive them; Larry A Cale of Terra Alta, WV and Thomas H (Joyce) Cale of Fairmont, WV, and four grandsons; Joshua T Cale of Arlington, VA; Aaron R Cale, of Fairmont WV; Justin A Cale, of Chesapeake, VA; and Jared A Cale of Charlottesville, VA. Dottie also leaves behind one treasured sister, JoAnn Whitaker of Longview, TX. In addition to her husband and parents, Dottie was preceded in death by three siblings; James Arnold Messec, Bill Messec and Nelda Jean (Messec) Hammett, all of Texas. 

Dottie enjoyed an impressive and varied business career during her lifetime. Her first job in West Virginia was at Everhart, Everhart, & Brown Law firm in Kingwood, WV. She later worked in insurance before beginning her banking career at First National (One Valley) Bank of Terra Alta, where she rose to the position of Assistant Vice President. A master seamstress and avid quilter, Dottie loved gifting her beautiful quilts to newborns in the family and community. She found joy in cooking and baking for her friends, family, and church. Her cookies and pies (especially apple and pumpkin) were the legendary highlights of holidays and family dinners. 

She was a devoted, born again Christian and a member of the former Evangelical United Brethren where she held several positions including Treasurer and Sunday/Bible school teacher. One of the many highlights of her long life, was a trip to the Holy Land where she was thrilled to see, touch and walk among the many relics and holy places she’d previously only read and studied about in the Bible. 

Family and friends are invited and welcome to join the family on May 8, 2024 at the Arthur H. Wright Funeral Home, Terra Alta from 11:00 a.m. until the 2:00 p.m. time of service with Jack Keim officiating.  Burial will follow in the Terra Alta Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, a contribution to American Cancer Society (https://donate.cancer.org) would be lovingly appreciated. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Arthur H. Wright Funeral Home, Terra Alta, WV. As an expression of your sympathy, please consider sharing a special memory of Dottie on the funeral home’s digital guestbook (https://arthurwrightfuneralhome.com).