Lowell Dorris

Lowell McKinley Dorris, age 67, of Henson Creek Road in Newland, NC died Thursday, August 14, 2014 at the home of his sister on Henson Creek Road.Born on July 4, 1947 in Erwin, Unicoi County, Tennessee, he was the son of the late Floyd L. Dorris and Lena Norris Dorris. The early years of his life were spent growing up in Banner Elk, NC before the family’s move to Nashville, Tennessee in 1955. Lowell was a victim of the polio epidemic of the early 1950’s and spent several weeks hospitalized in Asheville along with an older brother Floyd (Joe) who was also stricken with the disease. Polio left Lowell with permanent physical disabilities but he never considered himself “disabled”. Although he received treatment for the damaged muscles of his arms at the Cripple Children of Nashville facility (now Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital) they were only minimally successful. Lowell was determined, however to do all the things his older brothers and friends did growing up. In addition to playing baseball and running track at Cohn High School where he graduated, he played church league baseball, and later coached some of his nephews in Little League football. As an adult, he became interested in golf and became an excellent golfer, playing at every opportunity. During his early years Sunday afternoons would find Lowell, his brothers and his Dad, gathered around the tiny black and white TV, dinner plates on trays and watching ”Da Bears” play football. After graduation from high school he attended the Nashville State Technical/Vocational School and received his certification in HVAC and electrical maintenance. He worked successfully in this field for many years until declining health forced him to retire. Lowell was a great Uncle to his nieces and nephews, mostly teasing his nieces by giving them all nicknames, and playing sports with his nephews or taking them, along with his Dad, to their favorite fishing hole referred to as the “Mud Hole”. His loving and kind nature endeared him to family and friends throughout his life. He was never to busy to help someone by repairing their air-conditioners, fans, refrigerators, etc. Because of his tender heart and love for animals there was always at least one dog or cat or both at his house. Following his retirement Lowell moved back to the mountains about eight years ago to be near his sister and brother-in-law, Clay and Naomi Houston. He became a member of Mountain Glen Golf Course and, along with his brother-in-law Clay, was able to enjoy several years of golf. They played regularly with the Over the Hill Gang until Clay’s eyesight and Lowell’s health forced them to resign. He became affectionately known in the community as “Boney”, was never without a funny story or jokes to tell and loved playing practical jokes. He loved gardening in the summer, especially planting flowers, and sitting on the front porch visiting with family and friends. Lowell was a member of Park Avenue Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee and attended Vance Memorial United Methodist church since moving back to the mountains.In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a daughter, Amy, a twin Brother, Noel, who died at age two, infant brothers Sammy and Rex, brothers James and George (Billy), nephew Major Tom Houston and niece Karen Dorris. He is survived by daughters Sharon Dorris, Hermitage, Tennessee and Kathy Dickens (Brad) of Lebanon, Tennessee; grandson Alex Dickens, granddaughters Brianna Dorris and Olivia Dickens and two great-granddaughters; sisters Naomi Houston (Clay) of Newland, NC; Peggy Burgess (Gerald) of Nashville, Tennessee, brothers Grady “Bud” Carolyn of Pleasant View Tennessee, Floyd “Joe” (Barbara) of Summerville, SC and sister-in-law, Judy Dorris of Brentwood, Tennessee and his beloved dogs: Tucker, Belle and Daisy Mae. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, great-great-nieces and nephews and a host of friends and extended family who are left to cherish his memory.The family respectfully requests the honor of your presence at the Memorial service honoring the life of Mr. Lowell Dorris at 2:30 pm on Sunday, August 31, 2014 at Vance Memorial United Methodist Church with Rev. Ken Anderson officiating. A time to receive friends and share memories and support the family will be from 2:00 pm until the service begins. Interment will be in the Houston Cemetery.Flowers are appreciated or donations may be made to the Wednesday Night Supper Program, Vance Memorial United Methodist Church, c/o Naomi Houston, Treasurer; 558 Henson Creek Road, Newland, NC 28657.Words of comfort may be e-mailed to the family by going to our website; www.webbfh.com., selecting Mr. Dorris’s name and then you may sign his guestbook. Webb Funeral Home in Spruce Pine, NC is assisting the Dorris family.Read Obituary