The below biography was extracted from Lest We Forget, a family history written in 1983 and 1984 by Lucille “Tippy” Rebecca Kyle Harr, and updated in 2010 by Debra Harr.

Dorothy was the oldest, the happiest, the most all ‘round—and considered by some—the prettiest of the Harr sisters.

She was born at Buena, West Virginia, and lived only in Canaan Valley, Davis, West Virginia, before moving to Petersburg, West Virginia with her parents John Rufus and Delarie Virginia Harr, and her siblings, Bessie, Hester, Guy, and Eugene Debs. She was born December 24, 1902, the same day as her dad’s birthday.

When she was settled in the home place at 105 Spring Street, she and Bessie graduated from Petersburg High School, class of 1923. Others graduating from the high school that year were: Hazel Head, Orlena Hiser, Pearl Mayhew, and John Taylor. C. N. Malcolm was principal. High school was only 3 years.

After graduating Dorothy and Bessie went to Shepherd College and returned to Petersburg after a term and a summer session, and started to teach school at Durgan in Hardy County. She later taught fifth grade at Petersburg Elementary.

She was an avid 4-H Club member.

On June 24, 1932, she married Winton Taylor Hyre in a marriage ceremony performed by Reverend J. Paul Gruver, pastor of the United Brethren Church in Keyser, West Virginia. Lauded as being a ‘successful teacher,’ active in church and social work and her sweet and womanly ways have made many friends. No one that I know of has any qualms about that.

Her greatest asset was a true generosity. She gave generously to her family and friends. I am not sure how she responded to church and organizations, but one thing is for sure, if she knew of a true need, her givings were prompt, well intended, generous and without personal gain.

Her hobbies, no doubt, would be homemaking, which consisted of gardening, canning, a little sewing, some fancy work, and especially reading.

She and Winton did not have television until the last couple years of her life. Reception was not clear, and hence did not have it.

They owned only the one home, located beside Marvin Chapel Church near the Fish Hatchery and built by Duville.

Her home was meticulous, although it did not have modern or expensive furniture. She never complained and offered no apologies. The furniture she got when they were married was not replaced until a year or two before her death, again a sign of her generosity and humble personality and living. White linen table cloth and dinner napkins were an everyday occurrence.

I don’t know if she belonged to a church or not, but for sure her religious connections were evident, but silent. She did not drink or smoke and her language was cliean.

Her devotion to her family showed every day and in every way. Her nephew and her niece loved her and she gloried in them. She encouraged them and remembered them on every occasion. She had a motherly instinct and a sense of humor. She vowed that she would not be senile in her thinking and to be outgrown by her younger peers.

Perhaps her greatest disappointment was the loss of a daughter and only child, Jane Carrol, who died at the age of 10 days.

Her pregnancy was somewhat complicated and lasting 10 months, hence the death of the baby. She was delivered by Caesarean section in Harrisonburg, Virginia, by Dr. Darby. The Jane in her name was from Sallie Jane, Winton’s mother and Carrol for Bessie Carroll. Jane Carrol is buried at Maple Hill. She was born December 9, 1937, and died December 19, 1937.

Dorothy learned to drive when very young. She worked at Allen’s Drug Store and climbed Seneca Rocks, a feat most people would like to achieve.

In June of 1972, Bessie and Hester wanted to honor Dorothy on her 40th wedding anniversary. With my [Tippy’s] assistance and their money, and to the complete surprise of Dorothy and Winton, all their family with the exception of two nephews, were present for a dinner at Site’s Restaurant.

Twenty-four were present. Families brought generous gifts and it was a fun evening. Family pictures were brought by those attending. Shirley Harr decorated the tables with large bells with ribbons attached leading to gifts. Cut flower arrangements and candles completed the motif.

One of the reasons the affair was such a success was because, for once, the family could do something for Dorothy and Winton.

Dorothy didn’t travel much, but was happy being a house wife, being Winton’s wife, and being Dorothy.

She was born December 24, 1902, and died January 22, 1976, at the age of 71.

The day was cold and dreary, but not half as dreary as her beloved family.