Dortha Leon Kirby Hulvey was lovingly surrounded by her family at her home in Rossville, TN when she
went to be with the Lord on December 16, 2016. She was born in Kennett, Missouri 85 years ago on
October 11, 1931. Her parents were Tina Robinson Kirby and James Arthur Kirby.
Dortha was a member of Macon Church of Christ. Funeral Services will be held at Forest Hill Funeral
Home and Cemetery East, 2440 Whitten Road in Memphis, TN on Wednesday, December 21 at 1 p.m.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 20 from 4 - 7 p.m.
She married John Willard Hulvey 63 years ago on April 12, 1953 in Egypt, Arkansas. She met him in the
middle of a cotton patch while picking cotton. John went home that day and told his mom he had met
the woman he was going to marry. Tiny, but always strong, Dortha carried 200 lb. bags of cotton and
raced with her father to see who could pick the most cotton, in a single day.
Dortha is survived by her daughters Rita (Jim) Jackson and Karen (Don) Woodlee; Grandchildren Laura
Jackson George, Sharon Jackson, John Woodlee and Jennifer Woodlee (David) Shoop; GreatGrandchildren
Adrianna George and Vivian Shoop; Step-Grandchildren Tricia Woodlee (Barry) Atkins,
Jamie (Karen) Jackson and Donnie (Michelle) Woodlee; Step-Great Grandchildren Drew Atkins, Steven
and Taylor Jackson, Mera and Harris Woodlee. Also surviving is her sister Linda (Jim) Collins, brothers-inlaw
Danny Merritt and Jim Collins, and sister-in-law Wanda Kirby and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces
and grand-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Doyle and JT (Mary)
Kirby, sisters Vernalee (Wayne) Chailland, Carolita (Harvey) Montgomery, Anna Sue Merritt.
She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, GG and friend to all. Known as Aunt John to her nieces and
nephews, she was always up for fun and adventure. She climbed trees, rode motorcycles and a bicycle
built for two. She even went riding on a four-wheeler just a week after receiving a pacemaker. She
played hard, but she also worked hard. She kept the books for her and her husband''s company and
served as Treasurer for the Oakville Eastern Star for many years. She made delicious pecan pies,
chocolate pies, and banana puddings. Her home was a gorgeous showplace at Christmas filled with a
beautiful collection of Santa Claus figures. Her enormous rose garden was a source of pride and joy. She
enjoyed making flower arrangements and sharing them with family and friends, the Eastern Star and
Masons, and Macon Church of Christ.
Dortha was a fifty-year member of Oakville Eastern Star and served as Worthy Matron in 1977, Grand
Representative 1986-1988, and Grand Marshall in 1998. She also served as Mother Advisor to the
Rainbow Girls for several years. She lived on Patsy in Memphis for over 40 years where she taught
children how to swim and was a great room mom at Oakhaven Schools. She was a terrific grandmother
and great-grandmother who got on the floor to play with the children. The children didn''t need toys at
her house because she was more fun than any toy. Dortha will truly be missed by all.
The family wishes to offer special thanks for the excellent care by the caretakers from Comfort Keepers
over the last three years. They also appreciate the care by the Trinity Hospice Nurses during her final
days.