Willie Nell Hipps Doty

Willie Nell Hipps Doty of Kingsport, 99, passed away Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at her home after several years of health challenges. She would have celebrated her 100th birthday this year. She was born June 7, 1915, in North Carolina, to the late Claude & Sue Watkins Hipps. Mrs. Doty moved to Tennessee as a young woman and after marriage moved to Kingsport where she spent the last 80 years of her life.

While her family was the center of her life, she still devoted much time as a mother in volunteering. Mrs. Doty was an active, founding member of Gravely Baptist Church in Kingsport, where she served in several capacities including Sunday School teacher, G.A.s, Vacation Bible School and WMU. She and her late husband became members of First Baptist Church in Kingsport. Other organizations in which she volunteered include: PTA president of both the Gravely & Kingsley Elementary Schools, Dobyns-Bennett High School Band Boosters; March of Dimes and the American Heart Association. She served as an officer in the Liberty Chapter of the Eastern Star and was a charter member and the founding president of the Kingsport Assembly No. 244 Order of the Beauseant.

A sweet, gentle kind hearted compassionate and loving soul, Mrs. Doty's gift/mission in life was to love and nurture her family and friends. She was a "mother to many in her years here on earth." She lived by the Golden Rule, always treating others as she would like to be treated. Until the last decade, she and her late husband hosted family reunions at least annually. They took great delight in gathering their family together to reminisce and share love with one another.

She was preceded in death by her husband of almost 78 years: E. LeRoy Doty; an infant son: James Wiley Doty, a son-in-law: Damon Flanary; sisters: Jenny, Mary, Margaret (Walter E.) Ricker; brothers: Claude, Jr., Jack, Mark (Tina), and PFC Johnnie who was killed in WW II.

Surviving are her daughter: DeAnna Doty Flanary of Kingsport; special nieces: Linda Kennedy, Jeannie Higgins & Mary Ann Monk of Greene County; two brothers: Eugene (Aylene) Hipps of Mosheim and Robert (Jennie) Hipps of Baltimore, Maryland; sister-in-law: Martha Hipps of Mosheim, TN; the daughter, son & granddaughter of her heart: Betty Jones &
John Fox and JoAnna Fox of Radford, VA; and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the many loving care givers through the last few years. They brought much joy, love & compassion into her life. She touched and was touched by many loving hands. Her many years under the care of Dr. David Franzus and his staff were a source of joy to her.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM on Saturday, April 25th in the sanctuary of the New Lebanon Baptist Church in Greene County with the funeral service following at 12 noon. Rev. Jeannie Higgins will officiate. A graveside service will be held in New Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Nathan Reynolds officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the charity of your choice or to New Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, C/O Michael Starnes, New Lebanon Baptist Church, 10150 Horton Highway, Greeneville, TN 37745.

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