Dorothy Degler

Dorothy Gordy Degler, of Chattanooga, died peacefully at the age of 87 on Friday Nov. 29, 2013, with her husband and son at her side. Dot Degler was born in Rossville, Ga., on Sept. 27, 1926. She graduated from Rossville High School and from McKenzie Business College in Chattanooga. She then began a career at Chattanooga Belting & Supply Co., which continued, with the exception of a few years at home raising her young children, until she moved to Roanoke, Va., with her husband, Wayne, in 1983. For over 30 years, Dot was a very active member of First Baptist Church in Chattanooga, where she met and married her husband, Wayne, raised her children, Mark and Marcia, sang in the choir and taught hundreds of five-year-olds in Sunday School. After moving to Roanoke, Va., she and Wayne continued their active participation at First Baptist Church and Bonsack Baptist Church in Roanoke. Then, after returning to Chattanooga in 2006, Dot and Wayne became a part of the White Oak Baptist Church family. Dot was a loving, giving and caring sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Dot and Wayne were married in 1957, had a wonderful life together, and recently celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary. Dot was the oldest of four children. When she lost her mother at the age of 12, Dot became a surrogate mother for her three younger siblings, especially her then two-year-old brother, Vernon, who, without exception for decades, called her from his home in California every Thursday until she entered the hospital in October. Dot was preceded in death, by her parents, Leonard Lee and Mattie Lynn Gordy; her brother, Clyde Gordy; her sister, Helen Torbert; and her daughter, Marcia Anne Degler. She is survived by her husband Wayne A. Degler Jr.; her son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Vicki Degler; her grandchildren, Bradley, of Roanoke, Va., and Brooklyn; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 10:30-11:30 a.m. today, Dec. 3, 2013, at the Chattanooga Funeral Home, North Chapel. The funeral service will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. today at 11:30 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with Dr. Tony Wilson officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to The Partnership for Families, Children and Adults, 1800 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37404, White Oak Baptist Church, 310 Memorial Drive, Red Bank, TN 37415, or the charity of your choice. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaNorthChapel.com. Arrangements are by the Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory & Florist, North Chapel, Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.