Ms. Dorothy M. Hall's Obituary
Dorothy Marie Hall, age 78 of Madison, passed away on March 24, 2015. Ms. Hall was born in Madison, Tennessee on October 4, 1936 to the late David and Lena Whitehead. Dorothy was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many.
Her family recalls that Dorothy was an ever-present mother who took parenting seriously. The kids were raised in a loving and disciplined environment. “One thing I’ll say about Mom,” remembers her son, James “was that I could always be honest with her. She may not like what you had to say – and she would tell you so – but, she always supported and stood behind her kids.” She was, at all times, a caretaker. After a long day of cooking, cleaning, and tending, Dorothy would announce “Kitchen is closed !” and her children understood that there was to be no more food brought out or messes made in the kitchen. After they were grown, and her children visited, she had a list of things that they could all do together, food they could prepare, and places for them to sleep.
“She made Christmas magical,” recalls her daughter, Kathy. Growing up during hard times, the children remember that there was always something for them under the tree on Christmas morning. Dorothy transformed the house into a Christmas wonderland, complete with a flocked tree, a model train that ran around the tree, and decorations galore. On Christmas Eve, there was always a surprise under their beds: a book and a set of footed flannel pajamas for settling down for the evening. Kathy credits her own Christmas preparations to her mother’s traditions.
Dorothy took care of herself as well. She never went out without being well dressed and groomed. Even for something as simple as lunch with her favorite neighbors at Riverwood Terrace, Dorothy would rise two hours early to make sure that she looked her best.
Dorothy’s children recall late nights watching scary movies with their mom. “We couldn’t watch them without her,” they said.
In addition to her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by her infant son, John William Hall. She is survived by her children, Kathy (Rich) Slifer, David Anthony Hall, and James W. Hall; grandchildren, Aubrie Ann Ammouri, Alexus Page Hall, Lauren Ashley Hall, Jonathan Blake Hall, Jesse Grayson Hall, and Grace Elizabeth Hall; and four great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind many loving friends and neighbors at Riverwood Terrace, all of whom were so kind and caring to her.
Dorothy’s family will have private visitation and graveside services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the charity of your choice.
What’s your fondest memory of Dorothy?
What’s a lesson you learned from Dorothy?
Share a story where Dorothy's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Dorothy you’ll never forget.
How did Dorothy make you smile?
