Martha Eileen Dotson

Martha Eileen Dotson, age 89, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2026.

Martha was the beloved wife of the late Billy Ray Dotson, with whom she shared 66 years of marriage. Together, they built a family rooted in love, faith, and togetherness—values that Martha carried throughout her life.

She is lovingly survived by her children: Michael Dotson and his wife Karen, Rebecca (Dotson) Fishell and her husband Ross, Amy (Dotson) Ingram and her husband Charles, and Melinda (Dotson) Jones and her husband Wesley. To them, she was a steady source of fun, adventure and unconditional love.

Known affectionately as “Granny,” Martha took great joy in her role as matriarch. She leaves behind six cherished grandchildren: Kimberly (Dotson) Hardy and her husband Nicholas, Jason Fishell and his wife Crystal, Jared Fishell and his wife Alaina, Christopher Dotson and his wife Annie, Jeremy Dotson Jones, and Austin Ingram. Her legacy continues through her 13 great-grandchildren, each of whom brought her immense pride and happiness. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews who held a special place in her heart.

Martha was born on June 10, 1936, in Kingsport, Tennessee, to Verle and Juanita (Coley) Horne. She graduated from Sullivan High School in 1954, beginning a life marked by dedication, kindness, and a strong belief in the importance of education and family.

Her passion for education led her to serve for many years as a teacher’s aide in the Spencerport, New York school district, where she was known for her patience, warmth, and genuine care for the children she supported. She believed deeply in helping others grow and succeed, whether in the classroom or at home.

Martha will be remembered for her love of cooking, especially meals that brought the whole family together around the table. Family gatherings were her greatest joy, and her kitchen was the heart of those moments—filled with laughter, conversation, and the comfort only a home-cooked meal can bring. She also enjoyed travel, always eager to explore new places while creating lasting memories with those she loved.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to all who cared for Martha over the years, including the staff at Amedysis Hospice Care and Modern Caregivers, with special gratitude to Deb and Shannon for their compassionate care in her final years at home.

Time and illness have a way of changing things and for those of us closest to her, it’s easy for those later years to overshadow the many decades of joy, laughter, and the love that came before.

In lieu of a memorial service, our family would truly love to remember those good times - the Martha you knew. Whether it was a shared laugh, a trip, a story, a meal she cooked or a moment that made you smile, we would be grateful if you’d share your memories of her here.

Your stories will help us celebrate the full life she lived and remind us of who she was to many people. Thank you for helping us honor her in this way.