Dorothy J. Kuhn's Obituary
Dorothy Jean Dalehite Kuhn, known as Dorothy to friends and Mamaw to her family, died October the 4th, at the age of 94. Dorothy was born in Memphis to the late Molly Marie and Wriley Gordon Dalehite. Dorothy survived the Great Depression with her siblings by playing competitive games of cards, Chinese checkers, and Dominos. What the family lacked in money they more than compensated with love and fun. She graduated from Whitehaven High School and worked at Lambs Eat Shop. At 20 she met and married Charlie Kuhn, the new neighbors’ son who had just returned from service in the United States Navy during WWII. Brick by brick, Dorothy and Charlie built a house and life together for 68 years. Dorothy had two daughters: Donna Lewis and Sue Hunter.
Dorothy enjoyed gardening, crafts, water aerobics, and golf. She was an accomplished seamstress and cook renown for her potato salad, Divinity candy, Ma-roast, and chocolate cakes. At the age of 94, she was still sitting on the sidelines cheering her great grandchildren playing sports. Her favorite soccer cheer, “Kick it, Son; kick it hard!”
Dorothy was a devoted Christian and at her death was a member of Forest Hill Baptist Church. Over her lifetime she taught Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, and worked in a church nursery. She loved all children and was a born teacher.
Dorothy also worked as a school crossing guard and a hospital Pink Lady.
She will always be remembered for her trim figure and devotion to exercise. She most adored 68 years of dancing, traveling, and loving Charlie.
Dorothy and Charlie retired from Memphis to Riverview, FL, and returned after 25 years to Memphis to be near family.
Dorothy is survived by her younger sister, Catherine Dalehite Smith. Preceding her in death are older brothers Henry and Bill Dalehite, and sisters Winnie Beech and Margaret Clinton. Dorothy leaves behind her beloved daughters Donna Lewis and husband Phil; Sue Hunter and husband John, and stepdaughter Shirley Bell and husband Benny, (deceased). Mamaw leaves her grandchildren memories of handmade costumes, slumber parties, card games and s’mores: Phillip Lewis and wife Lenka, Joey Lewis and wife Carmen, Stephen Lewis and wife Alison, John E. Hunter, Hope Hunter, and Sarah Hunter, and great grandchildren, Simon, Connor, Grayson, Sawyer, and Tegan Lewis. Most of all, Dorothy leaves behind a legacy of love for God, family, and a McDonald’s fish sandwich.
What’s your fondest memory of Dorothy?
What’s a lesson you learned from Dorothy?
Share a story where Dorothy's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Dorothy you’ll never forget.
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