Dorothy “Dot” Roberts Dorsey
MEMPHIS - All who knew Dot were blessed by her presence for 103 years. Dorothy Roberts Dorsey peacefully left to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, February 3, 2023.
Dorothy was born in Clifton, TN, March 13, 1919. She was the daughter of the late George Washington Roberts and Ida Mae Riley Roberts. Preceding her in death was her husband of 43 years Caleb Dorsey, two brothers, James Riley Roberts and her twin brother John Nathan Roberts, and a sister, Margaret Roberts Martin. She was known as Mimi to all—especially her 2 sons, 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren and their families.
She is survived by her two sons, Robert Caleb Dorsey (Lou) of Kingsport, TN and William Cribbs Dorsey (Katy) of Collierville, TN. She is survived by five grandchildren; Robert Trenton Dorsey, William Kevin Dorsey (Leigh), Angie Dorsey Yates, Chad Caleb Dorsey and Elizabeth Dorsey Dye (Donny). She is also survived by five great-grandchildren; Matthew Dorsey, Joshua Dorsey, Emma Yates, Izabella Dye and Dallas Dye. Dot is also survived by a sweet precious friend to her, Ms. Lisa Haguewood.
Dot graduated from Frank Hughes High School in Clifton, TN, where she was president and valedictorian of her senior class. At graduation she received the General Excellence Medal and the Sportsmanship medal for basketball.
She attended David Lipscomb College (now Lipscomb University) on a full academic scholarship and graduated with honors. While there she was secretary of her class, editor of the college yearbook, president of her social club, and a member of the May Queen Court. She received her Bachelor of Science degree as well as a Masters of Education degree with honors from the University of Memphis.
Dot retired from the Memphis City Schools after 41 years of teaching at Bethel Grove Elementary and Shady Grove Elementary. She loved those second graders. She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, an honorary sorority for women educators, where she served as president. After retiring she became a world traveler, visiting the Holy Land, Egypt, Europe and Hawaii. Her favorite pastimes at home were her canasta and Shanghai rummy card groups.
She was a prolific correspondent whose cards and letters and notes were cherished by all who received them. She cheered on those Memphis Tiger basketball teams through many years. She never missed a one of her sons’ ball games when they were growing up.
Dot was a member of the Church of Christ at White Station for 65 years. She was a student of the Bible and taught a Bible class for 15 years, kept attendance records for 25 years, wrote the monthly newsletter for her Life Group for 25 years, and was involved with the Business Luncheons. She was a charter member of the senior exercise class that she attended twice each week until she was 98. One of her favorite things was meeting with church friends at “Peabody East” (Wendy’s) 3 times a week.
Her family would like to thank her attentive caregivers. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Church of Christ at White Station Building Fund, 1106 Colonial Road Memphis TN 38117.
Please join us for a celebration of Dot’s life on Saturday, February 18, 2023. Visitation will be at 12 noon and service at 1 pm at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis TN.