OLLIE DARE DOTSON

Ollie Dare Dotson, 99, passed away peacefully at home, Thursday, February 26, 2026, surrounded by her loving family, just shy of her 100th birthday. Ollie was known as Nanny, to everyone who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Garnet Breeding and Ida Breeding, her husband of 71 years, Harry Dotson, one son, Rodney Dotson, four sisters, and three brothers.

She is survived by two daughters, Brenda (Jimmy) Hall, Sharon Goodson, one son, Steve (Debbie) Dotson, and daughter-in-law, Sharron K. Dotson; seven grandchildren, Travis (April) Hall and Jason (Abbie) Hall, Angela (Tony) Gardner, Aaron (Marlyana) Dotson and Sasha Dotson (Brian Moore), Michael (Angela) Gordon, and Kimberly Dotson; fifteen Great-Grandchildren, and three Great-Great-Grandchildren; two sisters, Lorretta Hayden and Vivian Moskol; Special family friends, Judy and Cynthia Cain, and her two favorite kitties, Nacho and Mazey.

Ollie was of Christian faith, and lead a simple life in Wise, raising four children, with her husband Harry. Ollie was an avid sports fan, cheering and encouraging her favorite team at local ballgames, even after her kids had graduated from the school, and watching football and baseball on TV. Boy did she love Virginia Tech and those Atlanta Braves!

In the days of her prime, she and Harry spent long evenings with friends and family, playing all night rook games, traveling to numerous locations, while Harry served on the board at Norton Community Hospital. Ollie even graced the presence of famous singer, Don Ho, in Hawaii, as he serenaded her with “Tiny Bubbles”. She enjoyed camping, on Cherokee Lake, with family and friends, and loved going for long, lazy drives, and evenings of dining out.

Ollie never knew a stranger, and welcomed company with open arms, always asking multiple times throughout the visit, “are you hungry”, “can I get you something to eat?” She’d split a bologna sandwich with you, because it brought her great joy to share and loved conversation at the dinner table.  You could always hear laughter, find a meal, hear music, and walk down memory lane with each visit. She loved her family, her friends, and her kitty cats. Ollie, our Nanny, left a beautiful legacy of love, faith and compassion, a precious example of a life well lived.

Funeral services for Ollie Dotson were conducted at 7:00 P.M. Sunday, March 1, 2026 at the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel in Wise, VA with Pastor Jeff Reynolds officiating. The family received friends from 5:00 P.M. till time of services at 7:00 P.M. Sunday at the Sturgill Funeral Home in Wise, VA. Graveside committal services were held at 2:00 P.M. Monday, March 2, 2026 at the Wise Cemetery. Burial followed. Family and friends met at 1:30 P.M. Monday at the funeral home to go to the cemetery in procession.

Please visit www.sturgillfuneral.com to leave online condolences for the family.

Sturgill Funeral Home 1621 Norton Road SW Wise, VA 24293 is in charge of arrangements.