Obituary: Dorothy Rose Simmons Stock

Dorothy Rose Simmons Stock passed away peacefully on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 2, 2025, at her home at The Marshes of Skidaway Island in Savannah, Ga.

Born in Macon, Ga., on Feb. 3, 1932, she was the daughter of Moses Isaac Simmons and Aline Jane Friedman Simmons.

Dorothy attended the University of Georgia in Athens where she was a member of the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority. While there, she met her future husband, Joseph David Stock. Joe was a member of the Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity. They were married on Nov. 11, 1951, and were married for 40 years before his passing in 1991.

Dot was active in the Walker County Historic Preservation Society and helped preserve the Marsh House in LaFayette. Another enduring legacy in LaFayette was the creation of Joe Stock Park.

Dot was an active member of the LaFayette Women’s Club, serving as president and chairing many of its committees over the years. She was civic-minded and involved with numerous other community services as well.

In 2003, she was recognized by the LaFayette Rotary Club with the Jean Harris Award, an award presented to a non-Rotarian who exemplifies service above self-volunteerism in the community. In 2005, even though she was not a member, she received an Award for Excellence in Community Service from the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

She embraced her Jewish faith and its values with pride and was a former member of B’nai Zion Synagogue in Chattanooga, Jewish Community Center in Chattanooga, Jewish Women of the Landings in Savannah, and was a current member of Congregation Agudath Achim in Savannah.

Dorothy is survived by her loving daughters, Marla Geffen (Morris), Margaret “Missy” Wise (Steve), and Karen Rosenberg (Mark); her devoted grandchildren, Rachel Geffen Henderson (Spence), Matthew Wise (Miho), Bryan Firestone (Melissa), Phillip Geffen, and Joanna Firestone; and three cherished great-grandchildren — Mark Wise, Sasha Wise, and Perry Henderson.

Burial took place in Rome, Ga., on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice Savannah or to a favorite charity.