Obituary of Shirley Ruth Dotson

…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning ~ Psalm 30:5 With loved ones surrounding her on Saturday, September 28, 2013, Shirley Ruth "Blossom" Dotson, 77, of Kingsport journeyed home to be with the Lord and Savior she loved. On September 15, 1936, in Mount Carmel, on a beautiful fall day in her Tennessee hills, Shirley was born to John Calvin and Ruth Hall Dotson. Later growing up in Kingsport, Shirley, known to high school classmates as "Blossom," graduated from Dobyns-Bennett where she had been voted Miss Hayseed 1955—an honor for which she was ever grateful and always had fun with. She attended East Tennessee State College and then joined First National Bank of Kingsport (First American) where she served for thirty-two years. With a change of scene, Shirley then enjoyed eighteen years working in the Deli at Food City on Eastman Road and relaxing with the "club" at Burger King. Shirley rejoiced in singing and performed on many recordings by The Greenvale Trio. As a charter member of Bible Baptist Church, she continued singing and cherished her Sunday School class. Shirley faithfully applied her artistic gifts, was an avid photographer, and painted happy creations that she gave to a great many young'uns and a few grown-ups. Preceded in death by her parents and by her stepmother Edna Marsh Dotson, Shirley is survived by sisters Sondra Carol Dotson Bridwell and Diana Sue Dotson Fleming with husband Donnie, of Kingsport, her brother John Calvin Dotson and wife Susan of Carmel, California, her step-sister Shirley Waters of Mt. Carmel, and step-brother Larry Marsh and wife Connie of Kingsport. Surviving their Aunt Shirley are her nieces and nephews Luci Gage and husband John, George Bridwell and wife Jennifer, Jan Walker and husband Bart, Cindy Fleming, Kristy Lane and husband Kevin, Polly Easterling and husband Richard, Brendan Dotson and wife Sara Anne, Adam Dotson, and Caitlin Dotson. Great nieces and nephews are Tyler, Bryce, Kate, Cal, Carter, Kristin, Amanda, Taylor, Allison Alex, Peyton, Lexi, Jason, Donevin, Darcy, Jasper, and Simon. Shirley genuinely loved each one and enjoyed every moment she had with all of them. Surviving their beloved Grandy is her life-long friend Claudia Lowe and husband Wendell of Kingport and their daughters—April Kidd and husband Kelly, Ashlee Salyers and husband Lee, Heather McGuffey and husband Dan, and Jana Cope and husband Joey. Also loving their Grandy are her special little angels—Abbigale Ruth (her namesake), Will, Hadley, Ian, Piper, Summer, and Olive. Shirley made each one feel special, and all are deeply blessed to be loved by her. Surviving their "mama" are her completely devoted puppies, Tucker and Scooter. The family extends heart-felt gratitude to Wellmont Hospice and to caregivers Lelia, Kim, Connie, and Chastity, who graciously cared for Shirley in her precious time at home. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 2, 2013 from 5 pm to 7 pm at Bible Baptist Church on Hilton Street. A memorial service will follow at 7 pm led by her pastor and friend Reverend Don McCann. Entombment will be 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 3, 2013 at Oak Hill Mausoleum with nephews and sons-in-love serving as pallbearers. Shirley's request is that any memorial contributions be made to the Jerry Adams Memorial Playground Fund at Bible Baptist Church, P.O. Box 5756, Kingsport, TN 37663. Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport is serving the Dotson family.