Ms Dorothy Clark - former teacher

[Bob]

as received from Carolyn Marshall Doty -

Bob, I just received a call from Allison Clark, Mrs. Clark's grandmother and she passed away this morning around 5:00. As I find out more information I will let you know. Allison asked that you let all of the RHS graduates and teachers know. The service is being planned and it will be in the paper Tuesday.
Thank you, Carolyn Marshall Doty

[GinaGaller1978]

CLARK, DOROTHY GAHAGAN "DOT" - of Knoxville, born in Madison County, North Carolina on September 21, 1920 died at NHC-Farragut Sunday, July 27, 2008. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years, Ned M. Clark; son, Richard G. Clark; parents, Lella Bryan and George W. "Tob" Gahagan, and sister June Gahagan. Dorothy graduated as valedictorian of Mars Hill College in 1940, went on to receive her Bachelor's degree in Business Education and English from Western Carolina University, and later received her Master's degree in Education from the University of Tennessee. Dorothy worked as a school teacher of business subjects in Madison County before moving to Knoxville with her husband Ned in 1943, where she began working as a technical secretary for nuclear chemists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Though she loved her work at ORNL, a passion for the classroom soon led her back into teaching, and she accepted a position first at Karns High School and later at Rule High School in Knoxville, where she devoted more than 25 years to her students. Her belief in her students and desire for them to succeed extended beyond the classroom and served as an inspiration and encouragement to all who knew her. Many of her former students went on to have successful careers and they sought her out years later to express their gratitude for her influence in their lives. In her retirement, she and her husband Ned were actively involved in serving communion at Church Street UMC, and she was a founding member of the Church Street Soup Kitchen Ministry where she volunteered from 1984-2002. In her free time she enjoyed playing bridge with friends, reading, travelling, working in her garden, and walking. Survivors include her grandchildren Allison and Jonathan Clark, great grandchild Braxton Clark, former daughter-in-law Sherry Chambers Jones, and brother Ralph Gahagan. Sincere thanks to special family member Leisa Chambers Gordon, her extended family in North Carolina, her friends at Church Street and Beaver Ridge UMC, and Rule High School graduates. Also, many thanks to the UT Trauma Center and the staff of NHC-Farragut. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 30 from 5 until 7 pm at Church Street UMC, Rev. Cabel Trent and Rev. Bill Akers will officiate. The graveside service will be held at 10 am on Thursday, July 31 at the Oak Ridge Memorial Park. Family and friends will meet at Weaver Funeral Home at 9:15 am on Thursday to go in procession to the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family request that gifts be given to her churches, Church Street and Beaver Ridge UMC. Arrangements by Weaver Funeral Home. You are invited to Mrs. Clark's memorial website to share your thoughts and memories at www.mem.com.