Dorothy (Dot) Stell Berry, 93, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, March 15, 2022.

She wa s the third daughter to the late Clara Belle Robertson Stell and Oscar Fulmer Stell . A lifelong Memphian , she grew up without her father, who perished in the line of duty as a brave Memphis firefighter when she was only 9 months old.

She graduated from Southside High School and attended Blue Mountain College before transferring to Memphis State College. While at Memphis State, she met the love of her life, William A. Berry (Bill), who was a U. S. Army Air Corps veteran. She married Bill on October 8, 1949 .

She suspended her studies to work as a secretary at Rotary Lift to support her husband as he pursued his dental degree from the University of Tennessee. She later finished her college education with Bachelor's and Master's degree s in Education. She taught elementary students in the Memphis City School system until 1990. Once retired, she volunteered at Woodland Presbyterian School and the Wonders Exhibits in Memphis . As well, there were countless trips to the Memphis Zoo with the grandchildren.

Dot is preceded in death by her husband and their daughter, Susan Lee Berry Foster. She is survived by their children, Dottie Berry (Richard Moses), Bill Berry (Lita), and Barbara Dettelbach (Dave), along with 10 grandchildren and 7 great- grandchildren. M ère leaves an indelible mark on each and every grandchild that ensures her legacy will continue.

There will be a private family graveside service. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully directs any donations to the Memphis Zoo. https://www.memphiszoo.org/donate Those donations given in her memory will be used to fund zoo camp scholarships for under-privileged children.