Dorothy Daniel Work

MEMPHIS - Dorothy “Dot” Daniel Work passed away at her home on December 21, 2023, 46 days short of her 96th birthday. Dot was born in Winona, MS on February 5, 1928. Six months later her family moved back to New Albany, MS where she grew up and graduated from New Albany High School and served as President of her class. She attended Mississippi College for Women followed by working for the New Albany Gazette in multiple capacities including as the Society Editor. She married Harry H. Work, Jr. on January 29, 1950, and moved to Memphis one month later.

Dot was a homemaker and housewife until 1968 when she went to work part time for St. John’s Episcopal Church as the educational assistant. She then edited a publication for Allen & O’hara Construction Company for several years before moving to Methodist Hospital in 1975 serving much of her career there as Director of Associate and Customer Support and retiring in 1993 as manager of Employee Communications.

After her Methodist Hospital retirement, she returned to work at St. John’s on an interim basis as parish administrator before going to work and serving the Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee as Executive Diocesan Administrator and Executive Secretary to the Bishop where she served three Bishops.

Her community work included serving as President of Bethany Home, President of The Memphis Boy Choir, a member of The Lebonheur Club and as a member of the Vestry at St. John’s. Dot loved learning about art and serving as a docent for The Brooks Museum of Art. She served on the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee Church Women Board from 1961 to 1964 and as President of the St. John’s Women in 1965 and 1966.

Dot was preceded in death by her parents, Doctor Newton Daniel and Helen Nabors Daniel along with her husband, Harry H. Work, Jr., her son, Harry “Biff ’ Work, her sisters Jamie Daniel and Mary Wilbanks. She is survived by her son, David S. Work, daughter, Dee Thomas, sister Lynn Reviere, granddaughter Merridy Toepfer (Jason), great grandchildren Carson and Reilly, nephew Robert Burns along with 20 other nephews and nieces.

A Eucharist celebrating Dot’s life will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 3245 Central Avenue, Memphis on January 6, 2024, at 11:00 am with a reception and visitation to follow in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any memorials be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church - Friends of Music or the charity of the donor’s choice.

As a last act of Dot’s selflessness, she donated her body to Meri/genesis for medical research and education.