Dorothy Kyle Reding's Obituary
Dorothy June “Mamaw” or “Ms. Dottie” Kyle Reding died on May 18, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee at the age of 88. Dottie was a well-respected musician and arranger/copyist for many renowned artists, as well as the owner of Roulhac’s Preschool for more than 50 years.
Dottie was born on June 9, 1933, in Glenmora, Louisiana, to Aulcie and Myrtice Kyle. She graduated from Louisiana State University (Geaux Tigers!) in 1956 with a masters degree in Music Composition. In 1961, Sun Record Company (Sun Studio) made Dottie a Memphian by moving the family here from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Her first Memphis job was as an arranger/copyist for The William B. Tanner Company, where she worked on hundreds of commercial jingles. By the mid 1960s, Dottie was in her musical element as an arranger/copyist for Stax Records. Dottie worked with the likes of music legends Isaac Hayes, David Porter, The Memphis Horns, the Bar-Kays, Rufus, Marvell, and Carla Thomas, as well as Charlie Rich, B.B King, and The Memphis Symphony Orchestra. She also collaborated with Dee Barton on several Clint Eastwood movie scores. Acclaimed record producer David Porter once told Dottie’s son, Scott, “If studio musicians ever made a mistake during a recording, they could never blame Dottie’s lead sheets, because she never made a mistake.”
Dottie was the musical director and keyboard player for the band Memphis Def Tonz, of which her son, Scott, was also a member. Dottie performed with the Def Tonz at weddings, special events, festivals, numerous bars, and events for The Make-A-Wish Foundation from ages 55 to 78.
At Roulhac’s Preschool, she will forever be remembered as its beloved Ms. Dottie. In the Fall of 1965, preschool owner Ms. Leila Roulhac hired Ms. Dottie as a music teacher. Within a few years, Ms. Dottie was also the teacher of the four-year-olds’ preschool class. When Ms. Roulhac retired in 1972, she knew Ms. Dottie was the one to carry on Roulhac’s Preschool’s traditions, such as learning patriotic songs, singing the blessing, and saying “tea party may begin” at snack time. Roulhac’s Preschool’s reputation was built on Ms. Dottie’s lifework: to prepare children for a lifetime of learning by providing an academic foundation within a nurturing environment. For more than 50 years, Ms. Dottie touched the lives of thousands of young children by devoting her life to making Roulhac’s Preschool what it is today. Dottie was a truly gifted musician, leaving a legacy cherished by all that knew her; but more importantly, she was the very heart of her circle of family and friends. She was honest and intelligent, as well as loving and caring. She was generous to all who needed her. She had a naughty sense of humor, a quiet but unrestrained laugh, and an intense devotion to her family. She was an ageless sidekick to her friends and family, calling herself “ADULTISH.”
Mamaw is survived by her children Greg Reding (Cindy), Memphis, TN; Kathy Cornwell, Ogden, UT; Terri McLain (Randy Capocaccia), Olive Branch, MS; Scott Reding (Prudence) Collierville, TN; and Karen Evans (Mike) Chattanooga, TN; daughter-in-law, Nanette Reding; her grandchildren Eilish Palmer (Charlie), Nicholas Reding, Ashley Oldham (Neal), Adam Reding, Clay McLain (Stephanie), Chris McLain (Peyton), Walker Cornwell (Kaela), Raleigh Cornwell (Megan), Erica Symon (Dillon), and Emily Evans; her great grandchildren Sarah Beth, Savannah, Jackson, Maddie, Breydon, Will, Christian, Clayton, Carson, Ben Louis, Declan, Bayleigh, and two more on the way. She is preceded in death by her parents, Aulcie and Myrtice Kyle; siblings Mildred Neal, Gynelle Rast, Gordon Kyle, and Elizabeth Kyle; her son, Paul Reding; and her “favorite son-in-law”, Joe Cornwell.
Mamaw’s cherished Russian blue tuxedo cat, Coach O (named after LSU’s Coach Orgeron), has been adopted by her grandson, Clay; his wife, Stephanie; and their three boys who love him as their own.
All are welcome to attend and celebrate Dottie’s life. Visitation will be held from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., May 26 at Memorial Park Riverside Chapel located at 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN., with funeral service to follow at 1:00 p.m. Jonathan Matthews will officiate the ceremony. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the Stax Music Academy, Make-A-Wish Foundation, or to the charity of your choice.
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