Dorothee Mary Nelson Groves, 96, passed away Wednesday, March 2, 2017, at Johnson City Medical Center, Johnson City, Tenn. She was born in Minden, Neb., on September 12, 1920, to Joel B. and Gladys Flowers Nelson. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister and brother-in-law, Jeanette and Robert Dye Sr. of San Diego, Calif.; and her daughter, Nilah Jane Groves Mills.
She is survived by her daughter, Linda Lee (Larry) Hammons of Watauga, Tenn.; her granddaughter, Jennifer (Jeff) Schmale of Georgetown, S.C.; her grandsons, Roger (Sarah) Hammons of Johnson City, Tenn., and Daniel (Stephanie) Hammons of Oak Ridge, Tenn.; four great-grandchildren, Abe and Jacob Schmale, Alexis and Chesnee Hammons; three step-grandchildren, Erin Edwards and family, Camron Mills and family, and Abby Mills and family; two special nephews, Bob (Marie) Dye Jr. of San Diego, Calif., and Joel (Donna) Dye of Houston, Texas; plus many other special nieces, nephews and cousins.
Dorothee graduated from Hastings High School in Hastings, Neb., in 1939; attended the University of Nebraska; and worked at the U.S. Navy Ammo Depot in Hastings, Neb. She married Floyd L. Groves on January 18, 1946. Floyd and Dorothee moved to Russiaville, Ind., in 1949 and were active at the Russiaville Christian Church. In 1960, they moved to Danville, Ill. She worked at General Refrigeration and Woodbury Book Company. She was a long-time active member of Second Church of Christ where she had many precious friends and memories. In January 2015, she moved to Sycamore Springs Senior Living Center, Elizabethton, Tenn. She was a very creative, active, precious woman of the LORD JESUS.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, March 9, at 11 a.m. (visitation from 10 to 11 a.m.) at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Danville, Ill., with Pastor Drew Mentzer officiating. Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Park next to Floyd. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Second Church of Christ Building Fund or Johnson University of TN in Knoxville, Tenn., in Dorothee’s name.
How do you ever truly say “Thank You” to everyone who touched her life and whose lives she touched — Thank You in Jesus’ Name!!!