Dorothy K Spann

Fondly remembered as Dot, DK, Mom, Grandma Dot, DotDot and occasionally Dorkie. Died January 19, 2016 after 87 years of a life filled with faith, family and friends. Born Menominee, Michigan June 16, 1928 to Earl Martin and Loretta Torrey Knepp. The family, including baby brother Jack moved to Martin, Tennessee in 1936 for Mr. Knepp to teach Ag Engineering at what is now UTMartin. Dorothy graduated University of Tennessee Junior College at Martin, then University of Tennessee at Knoxville with a bachelors and masters degree in Home Economics. Dot married Thomas Ray Spann of Charlotte, Tennessee December 22, 1951 in Martin and honeymooned at the GeorgeAnna in Jackson. Dot and Ray lived in Knoxville, Martin, and Johnson City before settling in Jackson in 1959 where they raised four children, grew famous vegetable gardens, raised Christmas trees and worshipped faithfully at Forest Heights United Methodist Church. Professionally, DK was a dietician beginning in the cafeteria while at UTKnoxville. With most of her children in school, she opened the cafeteria at Jackson State Community College; later moving into the classroom at JSCC as Home Economics instructor. After the classroom, she moved to the Tennessee Department of Health as Nutritionist. Mom's final professional work was as Child Nutrition Program Consultant with Tennessee Department of Education. Grandma Dot's retirement included more fabulous gardens, Christmas trees, family gatherings with homemade ice cream, fresh peaches and chocolate brownies, crossword puzzles, knitting, grandchildren (9 grands, 8 great-grands), sneaking off to the horse races in Hot Springs with T. Ray and church activities at Forest Heights which has been her source of spiritual growth, discipleship and fellowship. DotDot is survived by her husband, her four children Tom Spann (Jr) (Aletza), Mary Hagy (John) Knoxville, Bill Spann (Teresa), Kay Frye (Stan). Nine grandchildren Tray Spann (III) (Tracy), Blake Spann (Leslie) - Maryville, Lauren Spann, Kenny Hurley (Alicia) - Knoxville, Torrey Hurley - Knoxville, Jessie Spann, Trevor Spann, Tyler Frye, Connor Frye - UTChattanooga. Great Grandchildren - Xavier Ray, Zane Thomas, Amy, Brayden, Lainey, Tillman, Emsley Lucille, Brantley. DotDot’s family are humbled by the shadow her life has cast from whence we can go forward with her legacy to hold, cherish and advance for generations to come. Thanks Mom!

Funeral Service will be conducted on Thursday January 21, 2016 at 11:00 am in the North Chapel of George A. Smith and Sons Funeral Home with Pastor Harold Nations officiating.

Visitation will be held on Thursday from 9:00 am to the time of service at 11:00 am

The burial will be Private at Highland Memorial Gardens