Dorthia M. "Dottie" Downs died suddenly at home of unknown causes in South Bend, IN, February 11, 1968 at age 50.  She was born in South Bend December 10, 1917 to Ershel and Hilda Mae (Warren) Downs.

Dorthia became an All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player when she joined her home town club, the South Bend Blue Sox, in its 1945 season. She appeared in three games and went hitless in five at bats.

Besides playing with the South Bend Blue Sox in 1945, Dorthia studied nursing, and was an avid and successful golfer as a member of the South Bend (IN) Country Club.  After her death, the "Dorthia Downs Memorial Trophy" was presented to the woman golfer with the low net score for the city golf tournament.  

In 1988, 20 years after her death, she was honored in a permanent display at the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum at Cooperstown, New York. The display honored all those who were part of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Dorothia Downs is included in the exhibi, along with the rest of the girls and the league staff.