Tonya Lee Dotson, 49, formerly of Mt. Vernon, TX and currently residing in Kingsport, TN, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on April 25, 2019 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on June 25, 1969 in Mt. Vernon, TX to Peggy and Gary Raney.
She was a devoted wife and mother, who supported her family in all ways, including when her husband David would go on church missions around the world. Her children considered her the Best Mom ever. Tonya’s devotion did not stop with her family, it continued to her church, Hilltop Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, TX, where she worked with children and the music ministry.
Tonya had many loves beyond her family, including music, history, especially Civil War and Early American History, Disney World, traveling, watching Hallmark Movies, being outdoors, gardening, raising chickens and cooking. Her family especially enjoyed her Dirt Cake and homemade salsa.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Peggy Raney; aunt, Linda Broom; paternal and maternal grandparents; and father-in-law, Bill Ringo.
Those left to cherish her memory include her husband of 31 years, David Dotson; daughter, Hannah Dotson; son, Jesse Dotson; father, Gary Raney; sisters, Tina Rose and husband Lance and Tara Dollins and husband Michael; mother-in-law, Carmaletta Ringo; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jerry and Carlotta Bradley; nieces, Taylor Rose and Emma Strickland; nephews, Hunter Rose and wife Michelle and Cole Strickland; and numerous loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, April 30, 2019 from 5:00 to 7:00pm at East Lawn Funeral Home. A celebration of Tonya’s life and testimony will follow at 7:00pm with Chaplin Tom Edwards officiating.
Tonya will be laid to rest on Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at 11:00am East Lawn Memorial Park in the Garden of Peace II.
Those serving as pallbearers are David Dotson, Jesse Dotson, Casey Ringo, Lance Rose, Hunter Rose, Brian McCasland, Ralph Bible, and Aaron Simpson.
Honorary pallbearers are Calvin Ringo, and Michael Dollins.
In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Tonya’s memory to the American Cancer Society, Johnson City Office, 508 Princeton Rd. Ste. 102, Johnson City, TN 37601 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
