Susanne Aultman Dorsey

On December 5th, Susanne Aultman Dorsey, age 95, passed from this world into the next, looking forward to the glories of heaven, meeting her heavenly Father, his son Jesus Christ, as well as reuniting with her husband and family.

She was born into the Rutland community of south Bibb County on October 18, 1929, daughter of James Wilson “J.W.” and Susan Burney Aultman, whose farm adjoined Liberty Methodist Church and Heard Elementary School, both of which she attended. In that community she met her future husband James Hollis Dorsey when the two were just 4 and 5 years old. Later Susanne attended A. L. Miller High School for Girls, graduating in 1947. After 2 years at Sullins College in Bristol, Virginia, she matriculated at the University of Georgia, where she excelled and graduated first in her class at UGA’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences in 1951.

In November 1951 she married her sweetheart Jim Dorsey at Liberty Methodist Church and they made their home in Macon, eventually moving to Northwoods as their family grew to include 4 children. She and Jim were charter members of Riverside United Methodist Church. She often said that raising these 4 children was the greatest achievement of her life!

In 1970 she began teaching as a substitute 7th grade teacher at T. D. Tinsley Elementary and realized she could achieve a masters degree in Education by commuting to Tift College in Forsyth. The following year she was appointed as the inaugural fifth grade teacher at the newly formed First Presbyterian Day School. She was an integral part of that growing school for the next 13 years. She believed that education was the backbone of developing young minds for the pursuit of their dreams. She felt that teaching was one of the most rewarding opportunities for giving back to her community.

In the 1980’s she and Jim bought a second home in Sky Valley, Georgia surrounded by Macon friends and new friends in that small vacation community. In the early 1990’s, following the passing of both her and Jim’s parents, Susanne and Jim relocated to Nashville, Tennessee to be near grandchildren. They made their primary home there, spoiled the grandchildren, assisted with chauffeuring duties, and enjoyed life both in Nashville and at Sky Valley.

Following Jim’s death in 2013, she continued to provide strength, wisdom and support for her growing family. Susanne will be greatly missed by her daughter, Susan Dorsey Anderson, whose husband Wayne predeceased his mother-in-law, son James Hollis Dorsey, Jr., daughter Dean Dorsey Hoskins, whose husband Bryan also predeceased his mother-in-law, and daughter Hollis Ann Dorsey Meidl and her husband Chris. Cherished grandchildren are Willoughby Anderson (Michelangelo D’Agostino) of Wilmette, Illinois, Wesley Meidl (Brooklyn) of Pelham, Alabama, Hollis Meidl (Janey) of St. Paul, Minnesota, Hattie Hoskins Tiedge (Spencer) of Chicago, Illinois, and Dorsey Hoskins Meier (Landon) of Nashville, Tennessee. Great grandchildren are Julia D’Agostino, Emmy Meier, Millie Meier, Kate Meier, and Claire Tiedge. She also leaves behind several dear nieces, nephews, and cousins. She will be sadly missed by all of her family, even as they rejoice for her passage into the presence of her Savior.

In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or to the charity of one’s choice. Graveside services will be conducted at Riverside Cemetery North on Monday, December 30, 2024 at 10:00 AM. The family will greet attendees following the service. Snow’s Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements.