Dorothy Jean McAllister
Dorothy Jean McAllister, or “Dottie” as everyone knew her, peacefully met her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on Friday, June 28, 2024. She was surrounded by her family as she departed her earthly life.
Dottie was a proud, lifelong resident of Signal Mountain, Tn. A descendant of early Walden’s Ridge settlers Elisha Rogers and James C. Conner, and granddaughter of Charles B. and Elsie Conner Adams, Dottie’s love for the Mountain was deeply rooted. Her heritage was represented by her faithful involvement in the Signal Mountain Genealogical Society’s monthly meetings, and most recently she was honored to serve on the Centennial Committee for Signal Mountain’s 100th anniversary celebrated in 2019.
Dottie retired in 2001 from the Provident Life Insurance Company where she had worked for 37 years as a claims adjuster.
Dottie graduated from Red Bank High School in 1960 and from King College in Bristol, Tennessee in 1964 with a degree in Business and Economics. While at Red Bank, she was on the basketball team, was the Business Manager of the annual, and played clarinet in the marching band. At King, she played basketball, as well as intramural volleyball and tennis, served as Director of Intramural Sports, was on staff of the college newspaper, and was Business Editor of the annual.
Dottie was a die-hard fan of the Tennessee Vols and the Atlanta Braves.
More times than not, Dottie could be seen wearing an orange shirt or a UT jacket, and she never missed a UT football or basketball game on TV or radio, except once when she agreed to being a bridesmaid in her sister’s wedding - on the day of the UT-Alabama game, no less - the “ultimate sacrifice” for a Vol fan!
Not only was Dottie a sports fan, but she was an avid sportsman herself, even outside of her high school and college days. She coached and played on softball teams for Signal Mountain leagues and for many years played on league teams for Provident as a softball first baseman and as a bowler, earning many trophies for her high bowling scores.
Dottie could always be seen rumbling around town in her much-loved, 1960’s-era Volkswagen Beetles– while usually sporting her familiar orange clothing. She also had a passion for collecting Coca-Cola® memorabilia and Peanuts® (comic strip) items. She was a lover of classical music, working puzzles, playing games, and absolutely loved animals, with a special fondness for kitties, especially several dear felines of her own - Caruso, Pogo, Rocky and Smokey, and is now reunited with them all.
Dottie was also a photography aficionado. She rarely went anywhere without a camera and always had to take “just one more” picture! In the olden days of cameras, if Dottie was around when you ran out of film or flashbulbs – never fear! Dottie always had extra on hand to give you. Her photos documented and captured almost every piece of scenery, every occasion, every family moment.
Dottie’s Christian faith was very important to her. She was a longtime member of Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church. Beginning in her early career years and until her passing, she was a regular and faithful attendee at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Chattanooga. At First Pres, she was involved in the Senior Adults program, “It’s a Wonderful Life” and served as a volunteer in the church’s archives department.
Dottie also enjoyed listening to Dr. Adrian Rogers on “Love Worth Finding” and to Dr. David Jeremiah on “Turning Point Ministries”. She was committed to praying for family members and for those family members’ friends, even if she had never personally met them.
Dottie was predeceased by her parents, James S. and Dorothy A. McAllister, and brothers-in-law, Roy Combs and Rick G. Boelter.
She is survived by her sisters, Mary McAllister Combs and Jamie McAllister Boelter; nephews and nieces, Heath Griffith (Ken Godlove), Holly Griffith Quist (Phil), Olivia Boelter Williams (Robert), Billy Combs (Callie Grey), David Combs (Stacie), and Anthony Combs (Karen); several great nieces and nephews and many cousins.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff at the Neuromedical Neurosurgical ICU (NNICU) at Erlanger and the staff at the Hospice of Chattanooga Care Center for the care they gave Dottie during her final hours.
Dottie will be tremendously missed by her family and friends.
Please join us in the celebration of her life on July 19, at the Chattanooga Funeral Home – North Chapel. Visitation will be from 11 a.m.– 1 p.m., followed by the service from 1:30–2:30 p.m. The burial will be from 3–3:30 p.m. at Chattanooga Memorial Park (Duck Pond Cemetery) on Memorial Drive.
If you like, wear a touch of Tennessee orange to reflect Dottie’s love of the Vols.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to McKamey Animal Shelter (https://mckameyanimalcenter.org), Love Worth Finding (https://engage.lwf.org/donate), American Heart Association www.heart.org, or the World Missions Fund at First Presbyterian Church https://1stpresbyterian.com/give which were several ministries and causes that were important to Dottie.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.