Dolores D. McDivitt

In Memory and Honor of Martha Dolores McDivitt
“I will carry you with me until I see you again”
On Thursday, March 8, the McDivitt family bid farewell to its steadfast matriarch, Martha Dolores ‘Dodo’ McDivitt, better known to us as ‘Granny’.
Born on April 20, 1937 in the small town of Garland, TN, Granny was the youngest daughter of Walter Marshall and Laura Mae Dunn.
The backbone of our family, Granny was our ever-glowing impenetrable beacon of light. Her presence and gentle hand in each of our lives will never be forgotten, as she makes her journey to the sky, ready to once again fish the White River waters of Heaven with our beloved Jimmy ‘Pop’ McDivitt and Mitchell Keith.
The sheer heart and spirit of Granny was immeasurable by all counts. She never met a stranger in her life and always found the good in every person or situation. Her smiles were broad and her laughs were infectious; with just one hug she could make anyone feel like they were right at home. Now, in her absence, we hold onto those memories of her with clenched fists.
There will never be another like her. She made each member of our family feel special in their own unique way.
It is impossible to reminisce about Granny and not think of Pop…
Granny and Pop were married in 1955, but the couple had already, at that point, spent most of their lives together, with Pop growing up just miles away in the rural town of Pilljerk. For many years, the McDivitt and Dunn children walked with one another to the schoolhouse. They were all great friends, and from that friendship forged an even stronger family.
By all definitions, Pop was the love of Granny’s life and her greatest adventure. In the years following his passing in 2016, Granny found both strength and solace in moments spent with her remaining family. She missed Pop with all her heart, but now she won’t have to miss him anymore.
Throughout nearly 61 years of marriage, the couple raised 4 children, Vicky Lynn, Richard Darrell, Mitchell Keith and John Thomas. They prided themselves on being good parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. In truth, it is hard for me to believe there could ever be a better grandmother. She blanketed her family in love and kindness; her compassion and warmth knew no end.
The most accomplished cook and baker in the McDivitt’s Dyersburg clan, Granny’s mind was like an endless rolodex; a wealth of knowledge cataloging decades of family recipes that would eventually be handed down to her daughter, daughters-in law and granddaughters. She knew all our favorite treats and meals and loved spending time learning new recipes. There was nothing in the world quite as satisfying as walking into Granny’s kitchen on Christmas morning to the smell of sausage, eggs, hash browns and chocolate meringue pie. Standing there in her apron, she would be ready to greet you, one arm opened wide for a hug, the other waving a dish towel or a spatula.
Until her retirement in the mid-late 1990s, Granny had been a textile worker by day and a homemaker by night, spending nearly a quarter century under the employ of Dyersburg Fabrics, home to her self-proclaimed ‘second family’.
Coming home after a long day at work, it was nothing out of the ordinary for Granny to spend the remainder of her evening making dresses, skirts and shirt tops to surprise her grandchildren with.
For as many Sunday mornings as we can remember, Granny and Pop attended fellowship at First Baptist Church in downtown Dyersburg. Granny was always highly involved with her church family and dedicated many years toward helping in the nursery and singing in the choir.
A twice over survivor of cancer, Granny was more than sweet face or kind word, she was also a warrior; a true testament to a woman who had seen the edge of life and fought against the odds to remain with her family for just a while longer.
For the McDivitt family, 126 Tucker St. will forever be synonymous with Granny and Pop. We will never forget the years spent there on the front porch playing cars, the Easter egg hunts in the backyard, or watching Pop chase off squirrels in the yard, while Granny picked pecans. Their home will always be a special place for us; in our minds and in our hearts, we will always find them there.
On Friday, March 16, from 5-7, family and friends are asked to gather in celebration of the life of Granny. The memorial will be held at Curry Funeral Home, located at 1984 St. John Ave.
Granny was the proud mother of Vicky McDivitt, Richard McDivitt, John McDivitt (Lynn) and the late Mitchell Keith McDivitt (Donna). She leaves behind 6 grandchildren: Jessi Agee (Jared), Justin Townsend (Natalie), Brian Keller McDivitt, Addie Bleed (Tim), Anneladyem McDivitt and Rachel Townsend (Josh).
Granny was the proud great-grandmother of Parker Townsend, Nikki Curtis, Emma Kate Bleed, George Bleed, River Townsend and Jim Avett Agee, who is now still just a bun in the oven.
She leaves behind one brother, Gene Franklin Dunn, and is preceded in death by brothers Marshall Dunn, Thomas (Ted) Earl Dunn, and Warner Hugh Dunn.
Granny was preceded in death by 3 sisters: Minnie Bradshaw, Gladlys (T-Bird) Mae Fleming and Willi Northcutt.
Granny leaves behind a large extended family of in-laws, as well as lifelong friends, all of whom she loved dearly.
The family request memorials be directed to First Baptist Church, 220 Masonic Street, Dyersburg, TN. 38024.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”- (I Corinthians 13, John 3.16)
We are privileged and honored to serve the McDivitt family. You may share your condolences and memories with the family at www.curryfuneral.com