We celebrate the life of Dorothy “Dot” Stevens Gandy with great joy as she entered heaven on November 14, 2024, at the age of 97- 3 weeks shy of her 98th birthday. Dot was born on December 5, 1926, at 1116 Selma St in Mobile, Alabama, the fourth of nine children born to Burton R. and Lolete P. Stevens.
Dot’s early years were spent with her family in Mobile, Daphne and summers in Fairhope, AL. According to her father, it was cheaper to have nine children at Mobile Bay rather than in town because all they would need to wear were bathing suits! Dot attended Daphne Elementary and Shell Road Elementary before attending Barton Academy and Murphy High School – Class of ‘44. She later attended Columbia Bible College in Columbia, South Carolina.
A pivotal point in Dot’s life came as a young adult when she began attending the Mobile Gospel Tabernacle – later known as Greystone Bible Church where her Faith deepened and sustained her until her last day. It was at Greystone Bible Church where she met her lifelong friend Eldora Grube and her husband of 48 years, Terrell Gandy. Both Eldora and Terrell were her strength and stay. Dot was also blessed at that time with an enduring friendship of over 60 years with Cornelia “Nealy” Roberts.
Dot was known for her strong will, unwavering determination, sense of humor and adventure, the love of all things Real Estate and tenacious support of her family. Dot worked at GMAC in Mobile before obtaining her Real Estate license in the early 1960’s. She formed Gandy Agency and Gandy Construction Co. selling Real Estate and building homes over three decades. She was the first woman Realtor in Alabama to obtain the Certified Residential Broker designation and was the first woman member of the Homebuilders Association of Mobile. She was the 1976 President of the Mobile County Board of Realtors and was chosen 1977 Realtor of the Year by that Board. She also served on the City of Mobile Board of Adjustment in the 1980’s. During her career Dot served a term as president of the Alabama Women's Council of Realtors, a director of the Alabama Association of Realtors and a member of the National Farm and Land Institute. She received numerous awards and recognition as an Outstanding Career Woman in the field of Real Estate opening doors for women to pursue their career goals. After retiring, Dot and Terrell moved to Dauphin Island, AL where she resided until 2010.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Burton and Lolete Stevens, husband Terrell J. Gandy, daughter Terry Lou Gandy Kelly, brothers Berton R, William T, and Roderick M Stevens. Sisters Mabel Leslie,Joyce Waite, Jane Bell, and beloved sister Lolete “Tiny” Stevens, nieces Lorian Brownlee, Joy Ann Williamson, and nephews Roderick and Stevens Leslie.
She is survived by her daughter Gaye Ellen Gandy (Rudolfo Frescas), granddaughter Dorothy Michelle Kelly, sister Gloria Thompson, and a host of loving friends, nieces, nephews and in-laws.
In memory of Dot’s sister Tiny, donations may be made to Mulherin Custodial Home 2496 Halls Mill Rd., Mobile AL 36606 or at www.mulherinhome.com or Greystone Bible Church 5350 Girby Road, Mobile AL 36693 or at www.greystonebiblechurch.org.
Visitation and Funeral Services will be held at Radney Funeral Home, 3155 Dauphin St., Mobile, AL on Thursday, November 21st with visitation beginning at 1:00pm until the start of the service at 3:00pm with a reception at Radney immediately following. The interment will be held at Pine Crest Cemetery, 1939 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36605 on Friday, November 22nd at 11:00am.
Condolences may be offered at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com.
