Dorothy Moore “Dot” Burley

Columbia, South Carolina – Dorothy Moore “Dot” Burley, 79, passed away on Thursday, March 7, 2024. Born on May 12, 1944, in Graham, NC, she was the third of five daughters of the late J. Chappell Moore and the late Edna Burton Moore. The family moved to Columbia, SC, in 1950 where she graduated from Dreher High School.

She attended the University of South Carolina and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Art Education in 1971 and a Master of Arts in 1978. She met the love of her life, the late William Lee “Billy” Burley, while working in Columbia and they married on August 22, 1966. They enjoyed 56 years together before his death in November 2022.

A gifted artist and pottery maker, she worked as an elementary art teacher for the Richland One School District for her entire career. She also loved teaching and sharing art with her many nieces and nephews and actively supported their artistic pursuits. She and Billy enjoyed traveling, fine dining, theatre and spending time together at Lake Monticello, SC. She was a member of Shandon Presbyterian Church.

She was predeceased by her parents, husband and nephew Robert M. Moses, Jr. of Columbia, SC. She is survived by her sisters Betty Beverly of Chester, VA, Linda Gladden of Lexington, SC, Elna Moses of Columbia, SC, and Lucie Hughes of Lexington SC; goddaughters/nieces Meg Gladden Eliatamby of Columbia, SC and Karen Wyman Gladden with her daughter Kaylin Dorothy Samples of Lexington, SC; nephew Aubrey S. DesPortes, Jr. of Chester, VA; nieces Betty Layne DesPortes of Richmond, VA, Kellie Chappell Romanstine of Columbia, SC, Emily Chappell Hughes of Lexington, SC, and Catherine Hughes Nolan of Lexington, SC; a great nephew; six great nieces; two great-great nephews; two great-great nieces and many other relatives and friends.

A private family memorial service will be held at Shandon Presbyterian Church. Memorials may be made to the J. Chappell Moore Scholarship Fund at Shandon Presbyterian Church, 607 Woodrow Street, Columbia, SC 29205, or a charity of your choice.