Dorothy Elizabeth Apple

December 12, 1935 - July 26, 2023

Born in Corbin, Kentucky on December 12, 1935, Dorothy Wilder was the youngest child of Andy and Melda Wilder. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, James and Martin Wilder, and sisters, Katherine Furgerson and Rebecca Cummins. She is survived by her sister Georgia Sharp.

Following her graduation from Woodbine High School in 1954 and upon completion of her associates degree in business from Saint Camillus Academy, Dorothy moved to Nashville, Tennessee. She married John Apple, formerly of Springfield, Tennessee, on November 7, 1959, at West Corbin Baptist Church in Corbin, Kentucky.

Dorothy and John had two sons, John (Leigh) and Jim (Jodie), before their divorce in 1967.

Dorothy was immensely proud of and would often brag about her nieces and nephews, grandchildren, Todd Apple (Olymaris Corchado) Katie Noey (Brandon), Scott Apple, Jessica Hodge (Joshua), Jake Apple, Madison Ball, (Jay), and great grandson Maximus Wilde Apple Corchado.

Dorothy, known by her friends as “Dot,” was a devoted Christ-follower and a member of Donelson View Baptist Church, where she served faithfully for 57 years. She loved her church and the sweet family of God that nurtured, supported, and encouraged her since 1966. Dot faithfully attended, taught Sunday School, served on committees, supported the church through sacrificial giving, and made lifetime friendships with people who loved and celebrated her.

She served regularly in the nursery where she would routinely sit on the floor, teaching and playing with the preschoolers. That’s hard at 87 years of age! (Or any age) What a testimony of her desire to give her time in loving acts of service.

Dorothy retired from Braid Electric, where she was a data processor. Following her retirement she learned sign language, practiced tai chi, learned to play the dulcimer, invested her time in Bible studies, dabbled with learning Spanish, and volunteered at Vanderbilt University Medical Center as a “granny”

to hold infants in the NICU, and at Vanderbilt Health as an encourager and helper in the Cancer Center.

Dorothy loved playing cards with anyone who’d take her on in a game of Rummy, where fun and competition met head on. She was a connoisseur of fried catfish and Uncle Bud’s was always a favorite. You’d catch a twinkle in her eye when shopping for a new pair of shoes with the tenacity, sense of adventure, and determination of an Olympic athlete. One of her great joys in life was cooking and bringing happiness to others. She was generous beyond measure and everyone who knew her would tell you that. She was thoughtful in remembering to make the most of every birthday, holiday, and family celebration. Dorothy loved to laugh and have a great time. At every encounter she’d always say something to make you laugh instantaneously that was a definable LOL moment. To be her friend was to immediately be part of her family, are there are so many “family” members it would be impossible to count them all.

Having lived a full and generous life, Dorothy died peacefully in her sleep Wednesday, July 28th, at Alive Hospice in Nashville following a short hospital stay at TriStar Skyline Medical Center.

Arrangements are being coordinated by Hermitage Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens. , will be officiating the service. Visitation will be Sunday, July 30th, from 5pm - 8pm at the funeral home. There will be a Celebration of Life on Monday, July 31, at 10:00am with Rev. Bo Fawbush, Pastor of Donelson View Baptist Church, officiating. Following the service, Dorothy will be laid to rest in the Garden of Peace at Hermitage Memorial Gardens.

The Apple family expresses their sincere gratitude for the sweet words of encouragement and sympathy expressed by each family member and friend; and ask that in lieu of flowers donations be given in her memory to Donelson View Baptist Church, 2049 Lebanon Road, Nashville, TN 37214. Checks can be mailed to the church with the memo: Dorothy Apple Memorial Fund.