Dorothy Lusk Graham Montgomery

PRINCETON – Dorothy Lusk Graham Montgomery, a resident of National Health care Center, Johnson City, TN and formerly of Glenwood Park Retirement Village in Princeton, WV and a long time resident at East Concord Street, Athens, WV departed this temporary life to be with her Heavenly Father on January 10, 2013. Born July 5, 1915, at beautiful Lusk family mountain farm in Wyoming County, WV; she was the daughter of the late Levi Preston Lusk and Rebecca Margaret Basham Lusk.

Mrs. Montgomery was the devoted wife of the late Frank Joseph Graham, American Patriot, killed in action in World War II during the Battle of the Bulge, Belgium, on January 5, 1945. Much later in her life, she was the devoted wife of the late Andrew Montgomery, Professor and Head Chemistry and Physics Department Concord College, Athens, WV.

“Dot” Montgomery was known for her pleasant disposition, beautiful smile, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, friendliness to everyone, her daily study of the Bible and each evening and was a caring, loving and devoted mother, rearing three children alone, and later a second daughter who brought such joy and happiness. She was also a special, unforgettable mother with a wonderful sense of humor. Dorothy was a devoted and loving daughter to her mother and father as long as they both lived. She loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also loved her many special friends and entire caring staff at Glenwood Park Retirement Center, Princeton, WV and the devoted, skilled and loving care of each CNA and LPN on Station I at National Health care Center in Johnson City, TN. Special thanks and appreciation to those CAN’s, LPN’s and private caretakers listed below for their loving care, devotion, and excellent attention: NURSING STAFF: APRIL, STEVE, KIM, DANIELLE, SARA, TRACY, TAMMY, DEBBIE CAROL, ALLAN, LEONA, MARCUS AND PENNY. PRIVATE CAREGIVERS: JAVETTE, JACKIE, FAYE, LINDA, LYNN, BRADEY AND BILLIE. This devotion, attention and caring love shown by hospice, CARIS, entire staff has been sincerely appreciated. Special thanks for the gentle, kind and tender loving care of staff members, SHIRLEY NO. 2 AND PAULA.

She was a long-time and oldest member of Athens United Methodist Church in Athens, WV since 1954 where she was a member of the Women’s Circle. She obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Concord University and was an elementary teacher in Wyoming and Mercer Counties, retiring from Mercer County Schools at the age of 65 years after teaching for thirty years. She was a devoted and dedicated teacher who loved her students and often talked about her time as their teacher. Her former students would love to see her from time to time and give her a big smile and hug and tell her what a great teacher she was.

Dorothy’s life was a wonderful example for all her family members and friends who had the privilege of knowing her. She truly loved each member of her family. She loved her native state of West Virginia and our great country. She overcame many hardships in her life and has now found eternal peace, love and joy with our Lord and Savior. She enjoyed working as a volunteer for the Princeton Hospital, Princeton, WV for a number of years, was a member of the Mercer County Retired Teachers Association and a member of the Spiritual Life Group at Glenwood Park Retirement Center. She attended and enjoyed all the activities for the Assisted Living residents at Glenwood Park, especially the weekly Church and Sunday School services in the beautiful Chapel at Glenwood. She was knowledgeable about growing vegetables and enjoyed gardening.

In addition to her parents and two husbands, she was preceded in death by her loving son, Daniel Preston Graham. She was last living member of her immediate family of six brothers: Archie, Ordie, Calvin, Curtis, Stewart and Charles Lusk. Family survivors include her three children: Shirley Margaret Graham Cook [late husband Charles E. Cook, Jr.] of Johnson City, TN; Colonel [Ret.] Roger D. Graham and wife Dianne Martin Graham of Acworth, GA; Dr. Rebecca Montgomery Skinner and husband Dale Skinner of Canandaigua, NY, and former daughter-in-law, Gerry Graham Mick and husband Bill Mick of Aylett, VA.

Surviving are ten grandchildren: Kimberly Graham, Kristi Graham Visage and husband Bill Vasage; Ryan Graham; Michele Cook-King and husband Dr. John Chad King; Charles "Chuck" E. Cook, III and wife Amy Soper Cook; Melissa Graham Hartness and husband Chip Hartness; Daniel Joe Graham and wife Ruth Graham; Timothy Graham; Kathleen Skinner and Hannah Skinner.

Surviving are thirteen great-grandchildren: Charles “Chase” E. Cook, IV and Ashley Elizabeth Cook; Joshua Michael King and wife Hillary King, Lauren Bethany and Sarah King-Farrow and husband , Lucas; Collette Elise Visage, Averi Elizabeth Visage and William Chase Visage; Samuel “Sam” Hartness and Austin Jacob Hartness; Daniel Joseph Graham, Sarah Elizabeth Graham and Philip Thomas Graham.

Funeral services for Dorothy will be held at Roselawn Funeral Home Chapel Monday, January 14, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Greg Goodwin, Rev. Harold McNabb and Rev. Jim Richter officiating. Friends and family may visit with the family from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel. Interment will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens.

To leave online condolences please visit www.roselawnfuneral.com.