Dorothy "Dot" Sullivan Hale

Dorothy "Dot" Sullivan Hale, a life-long resident of Kingsport, died at her home on Friday, November 27, 2009. Dot was born on January 27, 1922 in Kingsport to Benjamin Bruce and Lilly Blankenbeckler Sullivan. She was a graduate of Dobyns-Bennett High School. A devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, Dot was a significant presence in the lives of many people across her nearly 88 years.

She married her high school sweetheart, Roy Hale, in June of 1940. As with most of their contemporaries, they experienced the separation and uncertainty brought on by World War II. In March of 1943, Dot began her journey as a mother, a trip which lasted until the day she died. Dot was a committed member of First Baptist Church for over 75 years. She was a fixture for many decades as a Sunday School teacher for 7-year-olds and a stalwart in the annual vacation Bible School program.

Dot was deeply committed to her broader family. With an elephant-like memory, she was never late with a birthday or anniversary greeting. Dot was a great friend and had great friends. Her home, until the infirmities of recent years changed her life pattern, was a crossroads for family and friends. Her door was always open.

Dot took great joy in her children, daughter-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. For her grandchildren especially, memories of Thanksgiving and Easter holidays spent at Grandmother's will be long-remembered.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lilly and Ben Sullivan, her brother and sister-in-law, Bruce and Millie Sullivan, her husband, Roy, and her second son, Tommy.

Surviving her are two sons, Jim Hale of Kingsport, and Toby Hale and wife Susan of Winston-Salem, NC; two granddaughters, Shelley Hale Lee and husband, Jun and sons Dylan and Conner of Raleigh, NC; and Meredith Hale of Cambridge, England; grandsons, Benjamin Hale and Matthew Hale and wife Rosanna, all of Winston-Salem, NC; and brother, Ben B. Sullivan, of Kingsport. Dottie was also survived by a number of nieces and nephews, and many dear friends, especially Marg Stair, Margie Smith, Vonda Hager, Paula Taylor, and Pamela Marin.

The family will greet friends from 1:00 until 2:30 p.m. on Thursday at the First Baptist Church. A service in celebration of Dot's life will be conducted at 3:00, with Dr. Marvin Cameron and Dr. Ron Davis officiating, with burial to follow at Oak Hill Memorial Park.

The family wishes to express thanks to Dr. Davis Franzus and his staff for 20+ years of medical care. The family is deeply appreciative of the loving care given to Dot in the closing months of her life by Connie, Lisa, Sherry, Amber, and Des.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital Leukemia Research Program, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering at the First Baptist Church, 200 West Church Street, Kingsport, TN 37660.