Dorothy Felton (née Wood; March 1, 1929 – February 19, 2008) was an American politician who was the first Republican woman elected to the Georgia General Assembly. She was elected to represent District 43 in the Georgia House of Representatives in 1974, and continued to do so until retiring in 2000.

Dorothy Felton
Member of the Georgia House of Representatives
from the 43rd district
In office
1975–2000
Succeeded byJoe Wilkinson
Personal details
Born
Dorothy Jean Wood

(1929-03-01)March 1, 1929
Tulsa, Oklahoma
DiedFebruary 19, 2008(2008-02-19) (aged 78)
NationalityAmerican
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Jethro Jerome Felton Jr.
(m. 1953⁠–⁠2008)
[1]
ChildrenJethro Jerome III
Frank Bryan[1]

Biography

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Felton was born Dorothy Jean Wood in Tulsa, Oklahoma on March 1, 1929, to Ima Sue Chronister and George F. Wood. After graduating from the University of Arkansas in 1950 with a bachelor's degree, she worked as a journalist for the Tulsa Tribune. She married Jethro Jerome Felton Jr. in 1953, and they later moved to the Atlanta metro area. She was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1974, going on to serve thirteen terms before retiring after the 2000 legislative session. Her district, District 43, was located in Sandy Springs, and during her time in the House, she focused mainly on advocating for a referendum allowing residents of Sandy Springs to vote on whether the area should become an incorporated municipality. She died on February 19, 2008. The interchange between I-285 and Roswell Road in Sandy Springs is named in her honor.[1][2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Crawford, Tom (2008-02-08). "Dorothy Felton (1929-2008)". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2019-05-26.
  2. ^ "Hon. Dorothy Felton (GA SH 043)". Georgia House of Representatives. Retrieved 2019-05-26.