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Ralph Wick Dotson, 91

  Ralph Wick Dotson, age 91,
of Lafayette, TN passed away on Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at the Westmoreland
Care and Rehab. Funeral services for Ralph Wick Dotson were conducted Saturday,
October 29, 2011 at 11 a.m. from the chapel of Alexander Funeral Home with
Elder Otis Jones officiating. Interment followed in the Macon County Memorial
Gardens.

  Ralph Wick Dotson was born on
June 11, 1920 in Lafayette, Tennessee to the late Chester Wert Dotson and Lena
Esther Marsh Dotson. He was one of ten siblings born this union. On October 26,
2011 at the age of 91, Ralph went to be with the Lord. On May 4, 1940, Ralph
married the love of his life, Mary Lee Archer, sharing 69 years together. He
was blessed with two daughters, Lou Crabtree and the late Julia Cothron. The
love of his life, Mary Lee, preceded him in death on January 6, 2010. Ralph
started out working in a service station on the square in Lafayette as a young
man and as a hobby, restored old cars. He took his family to Indiana for six
years, where he worked for Firestone Rubber Company. After returning home to
Tennessee, Ralph was employed at Twin Lakes Phone Company for several years.
Later, he worked as a Lafayette Police Officer for five years. The enjoyment of
working on cars never left him and Ralph soon decided to open his own business,
The Union 76 Service Station. There Ralph remained for the next 25 years,
pumping gas, serving the public, and distributing fuel; he retired in 1990.
Ralph worked hard most of his life, but did enjoy taking time out for fishing.
He liked fishing in area lakes and deep sea fishing in Florida. Being a sports
fan, Ralph enjoyed watching the Titans play and watching the S.E.C. games. He
served as a member on the Macon County School Board for several years and was a
member of the Odd Fellows. Ralph was saved as a young boy and joined Antioch
Missionary Baptist Church where he remained a member. Being blessed with good
neighbors, Ralph was checked on daily by Earl and Freda Pitchford, Mrs. Herley
Gregory, son Carl, and also his sister-in-law Peggy Goad. His life was also
strengthened by the good caregivers and great home health that he received.
Ralph has four grand puppies, Bella, Archer, Cole, and Jaxon that will miss the
playtime and love he gave them. His daughter, family and friends will greatly
miss Ralph, but our loss is Heaven’s Gain. Ralph is survived by; Daughter, Lou
(Alan) Crabtree of Cookville, TX, Granddaughter, Lisa (Steve) Howard of
Nashville, TN, Grandson, Chris Cothron of Lafayette, TN, Sister, Dean (James)
Austin, Brother-in-law, Robert Archer, Sisters-in-law, Peggy (Ray) Goad, and
Rachel Dotson all of Lafayette, TN, several nieces and nephews, also survive.
Alexander Funeral Home, Directors, in charge of arrangements.