Dorothy Mendenhall

May 28, 1932 - March 31, 2012

Mrs. Dorothy Jean Mendenhall, age 79 of Burns, TN died Saturday, March 31, 2012 at the Lyles home of her daughter.

The family invites friends to the residence at 1805 Spencers Mill Rd from 2:00 - 4:00 PM Sunday, April 1. Services to celebrate Dorothy's life will begin at 4:00 PM under the shade of the blooming trees that Dorothy so loved. They will conclude with military honors provided by the United States Air Force. Heritage Funeral Home - Columbia is assisting the family with arrangements.

Dorothy was born on May 28, 1932 in Nashville, TN to Sam and Anita Kirkpatrick Overstreet. At the insistence of her family she entered nursing school right out of high school. Three months prior to completing her training to become a registered nurse, Dorothy decided to join the military and follow the path she desired.

As fate would have it, because of her prior training, Dorothy was placed in a surgical hospital during her military career and became an LPN. During her military service, she walked into a dining hall and "sat down next to me," recalls her husband. "She's never gone away since then."

Following her service to our country, Dorothy worked with the Infant Heart Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and later as a LPN with Goodlark Hospital.

Her love for people and her passion for life will be missed by those who knew her.

Dorothy is survived by her husband of nearly 58 years: Ralph Mendenhall of Burns, TN; a son: Gary Mendenhall of Dickson, TN; two daughters: Danita Parker of Lyles, TN and Vicki Mendenhall of Hickman Co; a brother: Sam Overstreet of Franklin, TN; 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by a brother: Clarence Overstreet.

You may send condolences to the family at the funeral home website: www.TnFunerals.com