Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, sister, and friend, Dorothy Bell John, passed away early Thursday morning, July 17, 2026. She was born on September 21, 1940, in East St. Louis, Illinois to Dr. Charles E. Bell, Sr. and Mrs. Frieda Rabourn Bell. She was the middle sister in a crew of five children, 2 boys and 3 girls.

After graduating from high school, Dorothy entered the University of Illinois and completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. She then moved south and completed a Master’s Degree in Nursing from Emory University. Upon graduation, she began teaching at the University of Tennessee with her roommate from graduate school, Nancy Albright Lowery. In Memphis, she met Bill and began a relationship that lasted almost 60 years.

The young couple married in Bloomington at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, made Monroe their home, and soon welcomed two children. Dorothy spent many years as a professor at NLU, now called the University of Monroe, as the Level 1 coordinator, introducing young students to the health care profession that she loved. She shared laughs and tears with her great work friends, who have all been supportive and loving during Dorothy’s illness journey.

Her love of books influenced a temporary career change and a job at the Harry Stone’s shop, The Bookmark. Dear co-workers were in touch with Dorothy until her last days.

Known by many names- Dode, DoDo, Sweet Baboo, mom, The General, and MawMaw, to name a few-Dorothy could do anything. She loved to bake, swim, garden, read, and crochet. She could play piano, draw, and paint. She loved all sports-especially if her grandchildren were playing.

Although her body failed her, her mind never did. She knew details of worldwide conflicts as recently as last week. Attention to details was one of her many talents.

Dorothy is survived by her husband, William (“Bill”) John; her children, Laura J. Colvin (Jim) and Charles John (Stephanie); her five grandchildren, Jackson H. Colvin (Anna Beth), Hannah C. Soto (Jacob), Benjamin G. Colvin (Anna), Thomas F. John (Sidney), and Samuel B. John (Kelsey); her three great grandchildren, Jacob H. Colvin, Parker Ann Colvin, and Katherine Lynelle John; and her sister, Kathryn Bell. Dorothy is preceded in death by her sister, Virginia Bell, and brothers, Dr. Charles E. Bell, Jr. and Thomas R. Bell.

Dorothy was a member of Grace Episcopal Church and the Junior Charity League.

A memorial service for Dorothy will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at Grace Episcopal Church in Monroe. Interment will follow at Grace Episcopal Church Columbarium. Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until service time in Kilbourne Hall at the church.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.