Dorothy Hankins

Dorothy Louise Whittaker Hankins, age 96, of Dandridge, TN passed away at home on April 1, 2020. She was a loving and caring Mother; an active member of the community; and a good and faithful servant of God. We will miss the giving, compassionate woman she was and the endless energy she brought to everything she did. She will be remembered for her commitment to her family, her work, her church and her community. Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband, Allen Gass Hankins; parents, Joseph Tell and Irene Derry Whittaker; and by her nine brothers and sisters. She is survived by her daughter, Clara; her granddaughter, Kate Russell and husband, Dustin; her (step) grandson Robert Gac and wife, Patricia; great-grand children: Will Russell; Taylor Russell; Brennan Gac; and Caitlyn Gac; and a large extended family including nieces Dale Davis, Kim Sassenberg (Anton), Melissa, Kristy and Lauren Edsel, Clarice Whittaker, Diane Whittaker Foreman, Marma Lee Boles, nephew Edward Edsel (Joan), and many other family members who were very special to her. Her friendships were a most important part of her life including long-time friends, Helen Farrar, Jean Gass, Martha Hall, Jewell Hodge, Mary Lakin, Mary Alice Ray and Jeanette Rimmer, Dorothy grew up on a farm in Greene County, Tennessee, and provided an endless number of stories about farm life with her brothers and sisters. She experienced World War II with four brothers in uniform across Europe and the Pacific. Dorothy served as Librarian at the Dandridge Library for several years and worked at the Jefferson County Health Department over 35 years. She was a member of Hopewell Presbyterian Church for 69 years. Over those years she served as an Elder, taught Sunday School, was a member of the Women’s Missionary Society and served on numerous Committees. In her community Dorothy was a member of Martha Dandridge Garden Club, Community College Council/Carson Newman College, Jefferson County Library Board and the Regional Library Board, the Community Health Council, Les Aimee/Carson-Newman College, Celebrity Waiters Cancer Dinner, the local and the Regional Girl Scout Board, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Women’s Auxiliary, and the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hopewell Presbyterian Church. We love you, Dottie Lou! We love you, Gigi!