Dolores Fontanilla
Dolores “Joy” Fontanilla, 92, of Ooltewah, Tennessee, passed away on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, in a warm and loving environment. Prior to her passing peacefully, it brought great joy to her face to able to see and know all seven of her children around her. Her greatest pride and joy in life was that she bore seven children.
She was born on Feb. 21, 1933, in Newark, N.J, to the late Salvador and Adela Gallegos. She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Fausto Fontanilla. She was a devoted Navy wife of 22 years, following him with their brood of children (sometimes pregnant) in tow wherever he was stationed. They lived in Norfolk, Virginia, Subic Bay Naval Base, Philippine Islands, San Diego, California, and Las Cruces, New Mexico before settling in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Ramon Gallegos, and Salvador Gallegos.
She enjoyed dancing, singing and especially reading her Bible. She was a devoted follower of Messianic Rabbi Kirk Schneider of Discovering the Jewish Jesus Ministry. In her later years much of her free time was spent studying and sharing what she learned from this ministry with her children, her children’s children and anyone who would listen about the works of God. It was important to her that her children love each other and that they live their lives in alignment with God’s word.
Dolores was abounding in love and kindness for her children; so devoted was she to them, that she expressed it in ways that were sometimes misunderstood. A gracious and giving mother to a fault, she would often give the last of whatever she had even if she had to borrow it. To that end she would do anything for her children.
Survivors include seven children, Tito (Tere) Fontanilla, Carmen (Mark) Acton, Valerio (Jennifer) Fontanilla, Marcela (Larry) Cossio, Virginia (Richard) Rothrauff, Scot (Karen) Fontanilla, Salvador Fontanilla, nine grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. She is also survived by a sister, Carmen Cadete.
Graveside services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4, at the Chattanooga National Cemetery with Chaplain Allen Goolsby officiating.
Please share your thoughts and memories online at www.ChattanoogaValleyViewChapel.com
Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421.