Dorothy Mabry

Dorothy “Dot” Nicholson Mabry, age 84, a resident of Columbia, passed away Sunday morning, September 29, 2019 at NHC Maury Regional Transitional Care Center.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 2, 2019 at 10:00 AM at Heritage Funeral Home with Randy Howell officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Born on April 4, 1935 in Mt. Pleasant, Dot was the daughter of the late George Taylor Nicholson and the late Lutie Mai Brown Nicholson. She was a 1953 graduate of Hay Long High School where she played basketball. She worked at Columbia Military Academy from 1963 – 1975 as a secretary to the Commandant and was “momma” to many students who were so far away from home. She also worked at Columbia State Community College from 1975 – 1977 and at Maury Regional Medical Center from 1977 – 1997 in the Business Office and Laboratory. After retiring in 1997, she loved staying home and taking care of her husband, Dennis. She was an excellent cook who in her earlier years enjoyed camping and boating. She had a special place in her heart for animals especially her own beloved pets, Bandit, Gizmo, Izzy and Baby Girl. A wonderful daughter, wife, mother, sister, and friend to many, Dot will be missed by all those who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her children: Dennis Michael (Janice) Mabry of Columbia, Janet Nell (Frank) Varnado of Columbia, Mark Ernest (Cheryl) Mabry of Murfreesboro; grandchildren: Ben (Cindy) Varnado, Bryan (Sara) Varnado, Brandon (Heather) Mabry, Brittany (Ryan) Floyd, Austin Mabry; great grandchildren: Isabelle, Taylor, Joyce, and Sam Varnado, Tyler and Ava Lynn Floyd; and Shelby Kate Mabry; brother, Wray (Janette) Nicholson; and a host of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis Wright Mabry of 61 years, on April 7, 2015; brothers: George Edward, Tommy, Joshua Brown “JB”, Frank and Jim Nicholson; and sisters: Mary Matthews, Nell Hayes, and Sarah Nicholson.

Pallbearers will be: Ben, Bryan, and Sam Varnado, Austin and Brandon Mabry, and Ryan Floyd.

Honorary pallbearers will include: Mable Baxter, Glenn & Emily Mabry, Jerry & Virginia Nichols, Gayle Mabry, Tim Bratton, Brian Varnado, Wayne Romesburg, and special friends and neighbors of Ashwood Drive.

The family requests memorial donations be made to the charity of your choice.