Gwendolyn Barlow Doggart

Gwendolyn Kay Doggart was born October 19, 1949, in Akron, Ohio, to Fred and Meathyl Barlow. She and her family lived in several places in Ohio and then moved to Villa Park, Illinois. As a child, she realized she was a sinner in need of a Savior, and she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior. Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Gwen graduated from Grand Rapids Baptist Bible College in 1973 and began her teaching career. While teaching in Kernersville, North Carolina, she met the love of her life and married Craig Doggart, another teacher, in 1977. They taught at several schools including Lakeland Christian School. Gwen was an excellent English teacher. We all knew where to go with a question about grammar!

Along with students, grammar, and literature, Gwen also loved sewing, cooking, and crafts. She left teaching and worked at some fabric stores. She made many beautiful things through the years and her work was displayed at the stores. We are privileged to have some of those items to treasure. She was a wonderful cook and baker, and no tiny detail was too intricate for her to enjoy making.

She was an avid reader throughout her whole life, and she was a tremendous prayer warrior. All of her loved ones have benefited from her close prayer relationship with God. We will miss her prayers for us immensely!

Gwen developed cancer and God gave her the verse "I will trust and not be afraid." She clung to God and His promises through cancer, its healing, and the rest of her life. Through her whole life, good times and bad, God was totally worthy of her trust.

On February 4, 2024, God called Gwen Home to Heaven. Psalm 116:15 says, "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints." Gwen was preceded in death by her parents Fred and Meathyl Barlow, and her husband of 45 years, Craig Doggart. She is survived by her sisters Jacqueline Barlow, and Carolyn Shenk (Bryan), her brother Rick Barlow (Kim), by her nieces and nephews, great nieces, and great nephews, and by her friends at Northside Baptist Church and Ansley Parke. We will miss her greatly, but we will see her again!

There will be a viewing at 1:00 on Friday, February 9, 2024, and her funeral at 1:30 pm at Heath Funeral Chapel, Lakeland, Florida, with the graveside service following.