Dottye Gillis, age 63, of Sheridan passed away Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at St. Vincent’s Infirmary in Little Rock.
She was born May 22, 1945 in East End, Arkansas, a daughter of the late Melvin and Dorothy Reiff Gravenmier. Dottye graduated from Sheridan High School in 1963. Following high school, she became employed at Timex while attending cosmetology school. On July 3, 1965 Dottye married Jerry Gillis in East End, She worked as a hairdresser in Sheridan until the family moved to California and then on to Pennsylvania. The family returned where they resided in Jacksonville during the mid 1970’s. She became a member of Chapel Hill Baptist Church in Jacksonville.
Though Dottye kept her cosmetology license, her passion was in floral design. She worked as a master designer for two florists in Jacksonville for over 10 years. Dottye also worked as an Inventory Specialist with RGIS before retiring in the mid 1990’s. Following Jerry’s retirement in 2006, they returned to Sheridan. Dottye was an active member and past president of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Post 1 in Little Rock. She was also a member of the Auxiliary 8 and 40 groups. During her retirement years, Dottye enjoyed visits to Branson and spending time with
her children and grandchildren. She will be remembered as a kind and generous person who was always willing to help out and to give her time to help the Veterans of Arkansas. She was so proud to be an American. Dottye’s favorite song was “Proud to be an American” by Lee Greenwood. She will be greatly missed. Dottye was preceded in death by her husband on February 18, 2007, after 41 years if marriage.
She is survived by two daughters and a son in law, Pamela Gillis of Sheridan, Dana and Robbie Johnson of Cabot; two brothers and a sister in law, Terry and Suzy Gravenmier of Nashville, Tennessee, Bill Gravenmier of Hensley; two brothers in law and sisters in law, Wayne and Kay Gillis of Sheridan, Ronnie and Jane Gillis, both of Sheridan; aunt, Billie (David) Murphy of Little Rock; three grandchildren, Casey Johnson, Delaina Johnson, Christianna Johnson Littell; two great grandchildren, Matthew and Andrea Littell.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 2009 at Buie Funeral Chapel in Sheridan with Brother Tim McMinn officiating. Burial will follow at Salem Cemetery in East End. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday, April 10, 2009 at the funeral home. Pallbearers are: Bryan Gillis, Ron Gillis, Greg Gravenmier, Chris Gravenmier, Chris Black, and Carthel Jackson. Please sign the online guestbook at www.buiefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan. (870) 942-3231.
Obituary submitted by Katherine Webb.