Dorothy was born in Jackson, MS to Joseph Benjamin and Lila Cleon Permenter. She had three older brothers Joseph B Permenter JR (JB) married Marjorie and had son Barry, and daughters Teresa and Vicki, Andrew James Permenter (Jimmy) married Shirley and had son Brian and daughter April and Floyd Everett Permenter married Midori and had son Dennis. All three brothers and sisters-in-law preceded her in death; JB in 1960, Floyd in 1954 and Jimmy in 1977. She is survived by a younger brother Royce Barnett Permenter (Sonny) of Fresno, CA who was married to Carol (passed in 1969) and had son's Kelly and Kevin and LaVon (passed in 2014) and had son Sean and Lorraine (who passed away in 2014) and had stepsons Tommy and Brain and stepdaughter Lori and Bettye Sue Permenter Coates of Hillsboro, OR who was married to Ronald J Coates (Ronnie who passed in 2018). Dorothy grew up mainly in Jackson, MS until her father unexpectedly died of a heart attack. He had taken her out to celebrate her upcoming 13th birthday. Mom said they had just finished eating an ice cream cone when he said he was tired and sat down on the steps of the Courthouse. He died while sitting there next to her. She was devastated. After her father's death, Dorothy, her mom and younger siblings all moved to New Orleans to live with her Aunt Ruby and Uncle Josh.

She met Wesley Jesse Ladner in Jackson, MS while visiting with her cousin. The couple married on September 2,1950. They had a son Wesley Jesse Jr (Jay). The little family moved to Buena Park, California and added two daughters to their family when Jay was 12, Sandy Lynn Ladner Campbell on and Rebecca Sue Ladner Neves Gagio. 

Their son Jay married Linda Dumesnil. They had three children Leslie Ladner Michalski, (who was the first grandchild and gave her the name Mimi) married to Ron, Travis Jay Ladner married to Kristy and Adam Shane Ladner, who preceded his Mimi in death on January 26, 2019. The couple divorced. Jay then married Gina Costable. They had a daughter Amanda Belle Ladner Engler, married to Chris. The couple divorced. Jay married Midge Slapak. The couple had three boys, Wesley Jesse Ladner III (Bo), Joshua Caleb Ladner (Josh) and Joseph Levi Ladner (Joey) married to Kelcy.

In 1977 Dorothy and Wes moved with their daughters to Oregon. They lived in Beaverton, Newport and Aloha. Their daughter Becky, married Michael Neves. The couple had three children Tyler Michael Neves, Jacob Wesley Neves and Summer Lynn Neves. The couple divorced. Becky then married Anthony Gaglio (Tony) and they had a daughter Marisa Renee Gaglio. On September 17, 1986 Wesley succumbed to a battle with Melanoma Cancer. Dorothy never stopped mourning her true love. In 1987 Sandy and Robert Campbell (Billy) had a son Zachary David Campbell (Zak). The couple married in 1992 and added a daughter to their little family, Jennifer Rebecca Campbell Kittelson (Jenni) married to Justin. Dorothy is also survived by 8 great-grandchildren. Travis's son Ricky Jay, Adam's daughter Addison, Amanda's daughters Amilia, Alyssa, Adalyn, Joey's son Shawn and Summer's son Camden.

Dorothy loved her family. She was beyond proud of her military family. Her brothers, nephews and grandson were so very special to her. She absolutely adored her grandchildren and bragged about each and every one to anyone who would listen. She loved Jesus and attending church. She was so proud of the trip she took by herself to Israel. She got re-baptized in Sea of Galilee and walked the Via Dolorosa. She also often spoke with joy of her trip to Europe with Jay and her trip to Mt Rushmore with Sandy and her family. Her last few years were spent fighting Alzheimer's Disease. She passed peacefully with her daughters holding her hands.