Dorothy "Dot" Nelson Binger

Dorothy Marie Nelson Binger, age 100, died on December 3rd, 2024. A public visitation for Dot will be held Tuesday, December 10, 2024 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, 700 Timberlane Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32312. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, December 11, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Trinity United Methodist Church, 120 Park Avenue, Tallahassee, FL. Cemetery services will be held at Tallahassee Memory Gardens for family at a later time.

Dot was born to Blanche and Henry Nelson (eighth of nine children) on a farm near Bushnell, Florida. She completed public school in Bushnell and then graduated from Florida State College for Women in 1946. In 1949 she completed her master’s degree from Florida State University. She and Robert D. (Bob) Binger, also from Bushnell, were married in 1944 while he was serving in the United States Navy during WWII. While following Bob during wartime, she worked in offices at Great Lakes Naval Training Station and at Treasure Island near San Francisco. Then while he was at sea in the Pacific, she completed her bachelor's degree.

Their daughter Norma joined the family in 1957, and son Greg joined in 1959. Later in 1967 Theresa and Margaret Chester became part of the family. Being a faithful mother was always her top priority, particularly after Bob’s death in 1968.

Her entire professional career was in education—public schools, community colleges, and universities. Her teaching focus was in the business area with emphasis in accounting. She taught at Auburn University, Florida State University, and at Pensacola Junior College. She and Bob both worked in public schools in Sopchoppy, Greenville, and in Maryland. In 1959 they returned to Tallahassee permanently.

Dot spent the last 25 years of her professional career at Tallahassee Community College (now Tallahassee State College), joining the staff of the new college in June 1966 as its third employee, the business manager. She retired from TCC in 1991 having spent the last 18 years as Director of the Applied Sciences Division which administered all of the college’s technical, health and other professional programs. Because of her love for teaching, she always taught at least one class in accounting

Following retirement Dot redoubled her volunteer efforts in a variety of areas. She was active in the United Methodist Church her entire life serving in many and varied leadership roles. In Tallahassee she was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church for over 60 years. She was dedicated to her volunteer work for 40 years at Envision Credit Union, serving on both the board of directors and the supervisory committee. She was a founding board member of PACE Center for Girls/Leon and wholeheartedly supported PACE’s work until her death. She was a passionate advocate for children as a Guardian ad Litem in the Second Judicial Circuit for 35 years, advocating for the best interest of more than 90 children, and supporting the program in a variety of ways. She received numerous awards and recognitions in her various areas of service.

Great grandsons Gideon and Solomon Garland say of their Grandma Dot, "She was always interested in our school activities." Their mother and Dot's granddaughter, Tara Parrish Garland, spoke of her grandmother "I could talk to Grandma about anything," and her grandson Tommy Parrish said, "I will always remember Advent Services on Sunday evenings at Grandma's house."

Surviving Dot are her son Greg Binger of Bangkok, Thailand, and daughter Norma Binger Parrish (Jerry) of Tallahassee, mother of Tara (Charlie) and Tommy and grandmother of Gideon and Solomon.

Another survivor who called Dot "Mom" is Margaret Chester Messer. Others who called Dot "Grandma" include: Jack Fountain (Jo), Elizabeth Fountain and son Zander, Rob and Tracy Stewart and their sons Ryan and Landon, Bill and Mireille Stewart and their children Liam, Ashton, Emma, Sebastian, and Matias, Matt and Linnea Stewart and their children Christian and Aubrey.

It is suggested that those who wish to make a contribution in her memory send their contributions to the Tallahassee State College Foundation, Tallahassee State College, 444 Appleyard Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32304, with notation that it is for the Dorothy Binger Scholarship. Recipients of the scholarship are students who have been in the State's foster care system.

For those who are willing, please add a memory of Mrs. Dot below. These memories will serve as a reminder to the legacy Dot leaves behind, and a testament to how many lives she has touched.