Dorothy Garner Alessi

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Max Garner and Evelyn Scott Garner; her sisters, Sandra Nix and Carla Bush; and her daughter, Lois Anne La Boyd.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Joe Alessi, Jr., with whom she shared 58 years of marriage and 60 wonderful years together; her children, Jody Alessi (Beth Briggs) and Chris Alessi (Tammy); and her nine grandchildren, Jennifer Green (Gordon), Rita Banis-Hall, Darlene San Miguel (Johnny), Jonathon Banis (Sandra), Christopher Banis (Carolyn), Heather Fernandez (Collin), Carmen Chappell (Alan), Nic Alessi, and Christina Chappell (Josh). Her family continued to grow through the years, blessing Dorothy with many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren whom she dearly loved.

She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, her son in-law, Jimmy La Boyd, and her brothers-in-law, Walter Bush and Norman Alessi (Barb), along with many extended family members and friends who were fortunate enough to know and love her.

Dorothy graduated from Ensley High School and later began working as a bookkeeper at the Farmer’s Market. It was there that she met the love of her life, affectionately known as “Baby Joe.” Their meeting began a love story that would span six decades. Together, Dorothy and Joe built a life centered around family, laughter, loyalty, and a love that stood the test of time.

Dorothy later worked for UPS as a payroll clerk, where she remained until her retirement.

While Dorothy was proud of the work she did throughout her life, the true measure of her life could never be found in a job title. It was found in the people she loved—and Dorothy loved people exceptionally well.

Her family was the center of her world, and she held a particularly special place in her heart for her grandchildren. Nothing brought her greater happiness than the people she called her own. Yet Dorothy's heart was large enough to make room for everyone. She was compassionate, accepting, and always seemed able to find something good in another person, even when others might have overlooked it.

Perhaps Dorothy expressed her philosophy of life best in words she once wrote inside her Bible:

“Love people, not things; use things, not people.”

Those were more than words to Dorothy. They were the way she lived.

She enjoyed traveling with her sister, Sandra, and New Orleans held a special place among their adventures together. She loved gardening and bird watching, riding her recumbent bike, settling in to watch Dateline, and, of course, Elvis.

Dorothy was also a wonderful cook, and some of the sweetest family memories were made around her table. Thanksgiving was especially memorable when Dorothy was cooking. Her dressing and potato salad became family favorites—the kind of dishes that could never quite be duplicated because part of what made them special was the love of the woman who prepared them.

But of all the things Dorothy enjoyed and all the things she did well, loving others was what she did best.

She loved without conditions. She showed compassion without expecting anything in return. She looked for the good in people and found joy in simply being with those she loved. Her life was filled not by the things she accumulated, but by the relationships she nurtured, the meals she shared, the memories she made, and the countless people who knew they mattered because Dorothy made them feel that way.

Her absence will be deeply felt, but the love Dorothy gave so freely will remain in the generations that follow her. It will live on around Thanksgiving tables, in favorite family recipes and stories, in gardens and birdsong, in memories of adventures and laughter, and especially in the hearts of those who were blessed to be loved by her.

Dorothy loved people—and because she did, she leaves this world having made it a kinder place.

The family will receive friends on Friday, October 2, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Johns Ridout’s Elmwood Chapel.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. All those attending the graveside service are requested to meet at Johns Ridout’s Elmwood Chapel prior to the service to join the procession to the cemetery.