Dorothy Ann Martin

Dorothy Ann (Kinney) Martin, “Dot”, of Butler, Tennessee went home to her eternity with the Lord Jesus on Tuesday, June 30th, 2026. Dot, or “Ms. Dot” as most folks called her, was born in Villa Rica, Georgia on March 29th, 1928, living to be 98 years old. She moved to Butler with her daughter and son-in-law in 2010, by way of the Neva community. Dot greatly enjoyed the scenery and beauty of the mountains, loving every mile of every ride.

Having enjoy many years being an active member of her beloved First Baptist Church of Lithia Springs in Georgia, she was lovingly welcomed and embraced by her new church family in Tennessee at Roan Creek Baptist Church, where she was an active attendee, participating in ministries, activities and church trips, having made many precious relationships in this fellowship of believers.

Dementia took away her knowledge of the people in her life the last years of her life, and in the last 10 months, she resided at The Waters of Roan Highlands nursing home in Roan Mountain, Tennessee where she was well cared for and richly loved by the staff there as well as her amazing hospice team, enjoying activities and events within the facility and was a favorite from Section 2. Her months there were a blessing to her as well as the family. In her last months here, she was always in good spirits, heartily replying when asked how she was doing, with her normal, “I’m happy happy happy!” Dot passed away peacefully in her bed at The Waters after having had “a good last day.” We couldn’t have asked God for a more peaceful home going for Mom.

Dot was preceded in death by her husband of 31 years, Harold Martin, in 1978 to heart disease. After mourning his passing, Dot began to travel, as Harold and she had hoped to do together, always saving up for her next adventure, experiencing several cruises and guided tours to far flung places in this world, along with hitching a ride with her family if they were going anywhere, emphasis on anywhere. Dot loved to go! She experienced Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Europe on several trips and many exciting locations within the United States (lower 48). Her most beloved trip was visiting the Holy Lands with her church in Georgia, Lithia Springs First Baptist Church, where she was re-baptized “in the river Jordan” even bringing home water from the river in a little Cracker Barrel syrup bottle. She loved to talk about her travels and would invite herself to future trips if anyone was willing to go, always with a “I have my bags packed” to assure them of her readiness.

She had been an active member of the Johnson County Senior Center. She always enjoyed getting to ride the van with Terry, who drove the van, riding through the countryside picking up other folks who became friends. Dot truly enjoyed the richness and blessings of this life. Dot loved the Lord Jesus, being able to recite John 3:16 and sing “Jesus Loves Me” up until her last days. She regularly planted the seeds of faith to her family and everyone she encountered. She never met a stranger and would easily strike up a conversation, imparting her quick wit and happy smile. Her conversation always included her testimony of faith and her love for the Lord to anyone who she found still enough to talk.

Dot and Harold had four children in their marriage, Brenda Ann (Martin) Miller, Alan Martin (Teresa), Don Martin (Joni), and Sherilyn (Martin) Dean (Tom), whom they loved. She also loved her grandchildren, Tony

League, Shana (League) Rios, Brenda Suesann (Miller) Johnstone, Emily (Martin) Spencer, Brian Martin, Stephanie (Martin) Stokes, Amanda (Jones) Yates, Natasha (Martin) Arnold, Chadd Martin, Steven Dean, and Carly (Dean) Parsons. Dot also leaves behind a multitude of beloved great-grandchildren (20) and even great-great-grandchildren (7). Dot also leaves behind one beloved “baby” brother, Edwin McCray (Rita, preceding in passing), nephews (3), great nieces and great nephews and many cousins. In addition to Harold passing from this world, she was preceded in death by she and Harold’s eldest daughter Brenda Ann, their eldest grandson Tony, great-grandson Dalton and great- grandson Taylor.

Mom, (Grandmom, Mamama, Grandmother) we know you have now experienced the indescribable beauty of falling into the loving arms of Jesus as He welcomed you home, where He undoubtedly told you, “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”! You are now rejoicing with family and friends who were waiting to welcome you home, as well as those who are there because of the seeds of faith you planted or watered along the way. We will miss you here until we are all reunited there in that incredible, never ending home called Heaven, where Jesus is and has prepared, in advance, a place for all who trust in Him.

Thank you Mom for your love and guidance as you taught us how to love, care for and respect others. For teaching us manners and compassion, empathy and strength. You modeled beautifully how to lend a hand, how to laugh and be funny, how to give a warm smile to those whom we may not know and how to be friendly to everyone. You showed us that it’s a beautiful way to live this life as we eagerly wait to pass into our own life of eternity where the glory of God illuminates everything.

See ya later alligator. After while crocodile. We love you Mom and we know you love us too!

The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday, July 10, 2026 at Roan Creek Baptist Church, 682 Lumpkin Branch Rd, Mtn City, TN. A celebration of home going will follow at 12 noon with Pastor David Hankal officiating.

A second visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 12, 2026 at First Baptist Church of Lithia Springs, 10531 Veterans Memorial Hwy, Lithia Springs, GA. A celebration of home going will follow at 2 p.m.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Whitley Garner at Rosehaven Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Dorothy Ann Martin.