Oct. 23, 1921 – April 4, 2013

NATCHEZ — Services paying tribute to the life of Dorothy Seale Sojourner, 91, of Natchez, who died Thursday, April 4, 2013, at her home will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Laird Funeral Home with the Rev. Russell Wagoner officiating.

Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Mrs. Sojourner was born Oct. 23, 1921, in Monroe, Miss., the daughter of Cletus and Aaron Seale and Mary Lillie McCall Seale.

In July 1940, she married A. Boyd Sojourner. Following their marriage, she devoted much of her life to the history and preservation of Oakwood Plantation, her husband’s family’s home, located in the Kingston community south of Natchez. Her work at Oakwood included extensive Natchez and Mississippi history, and she became a well-known historian and preservationist contributing documentation and insight to many writers and authors through the years.

Mrs. Sojourner was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, past president of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, The Descendants of Jersey Settlers, Natchez Historical Society, Mississippi Historical Society, the Historic Natchez Foundation and the Pilgrimage Garden Club. She was recognized by the historical society as Preservationist of the Year and named an Unsung Hero by The Natchez Democrat. Mrs. Sojourner contributed greatly in the preservation of Rosalie, Historic Jefferson College and numerous other historical sites in Adams County.

Mrs. Sojourner’s life was defined by her unwavering faith and the teachings of the Holy Bible. She was a founding member of Calvary Baptist Church in Natchez, where she was an active member for more than 60 years. Her service included teaching Sunday school and a lifelong pianist and organist.

For nearly half her life, she was the wife of a longtime Adams County public official and shared his love of service to the community and helping others. Outside of her involvement in historical projects and church activities, she was dedicated to the Judge George W. Armstrong Library, was a founding member of Pleasant Acre Day School and volunteered with many community organizations.

One of Mrs. Sojourner’s greatest passions and blessings was her family, evident in the devotion and time she spent shaping their lives. Spending time at Oakwood with her children, grandchildren and extended family was where she found her greatest joy and lived out her final years.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Oliver Seale; her husband, A. Boyd Sojourner, and twin granddaughters of her son Jack Sojourner and wife, Sandra.

Survivors include her two children, daughter, Virginia Sojourner Harrigan and husband, Dwight, of Fulton, Ala., and son, Jack Sojourner and wife, Sandra, of Natchez; five grandchildren, Chip Harrigan and wife, Susan, Jeff Harrigan, all of Grove Hill, Ala., Patrick Harrigan and wife, Michelle, of Monroeville, Ala., Melanie Sojourner and Mary Ellen Sojourner, both of Natchez; eight great-grandchildren, Drew, Libby and Billy Harrigan, all of Grove Hill, Ala., Virginia Ann and Elle Harrigan, both of Monroeville, Ala., Kaelin and Dayne Daye, both of Natchez, and Hayden Newman of Natchez; two sisters, Cleta Faye Brumfield of Natchez and Jean Simonton and husband, Max, of Natchez, and a number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Pallbearers will be Chip Harrigan, Patrick Harrigan, Drew Harrigan, Hayden Newman, Carroll Lee Sojourner and Hank Brumfield.

Honorary pallbearers will be Charlie Bailey, Max Simonton, Boyd White, Mike Depta, Mike Harrigall and Jerome Arnold.

Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church of Natchez, Judge George W. Armstrong Library or Historic Jefferson College.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lairdfh.com.