Dorothy "Dot" Lee Fulkerson Houser

Lifelong Kingsport resident Dorothy “Dot” Lee Fulkerson Houser, 88, passed away Oct. 11, joining her late husband of 54 years, George Washington Houser, on what would have been his 90th birthday. While her family mourns her sudden passing, we know that “Papaw” and “Mia” are finally reunited in heaven after 11 years. Dot was born Sept. 4, 1925 in Kingsport to parents John W. Fulkerson and Margaret Otalie Childress. She spent her life in just three different residences along Memorial Blvd. /Hwy 126 and loved her home, where she could enjoy the beauty of the Appalachian foothills, the changing seasons and working in her garden. Family was the center of Dot’s life. She is survived by her only daughter, Sharon Houser Salyer, and son-in-law Richard A. Salyer, Sr. of Myrtle Beach, SC; grandchildren Melinda Salyer Gilley (Wayne Gilley) of Knoxville, Tenn. and Richard A. Salyer, Jr. (Michelle Salyer) of Rockledge, Fla.; three great grandchildren, Tanner and Taylor Gilley, and Gabriella (Gabby) Salyer; as well as nephew Homer Smith (Maude) of Kingsport. She is also survived by her beloved Yorkshire Terrier, Foxy, who came into her life following the death of her faithful Peek-a-Poo, Kiki. In recent years, Dot enjoyed spending time with her Sullivan High School classmates, class of 1943, but has endured the passing of many close friends before her. Dot retired from Air Products & Chemicals, where she worked in accounts collectible for many years. She was a member of the Eastern Star and recently attended Kingsport Methodist Church. Services will be held on Sunday, Oct. 13 at East Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park, officiated by family friend, Wesley Tucker of Gray, Tenn. A viewing will take place from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. followed by a graveside service. Pallbearers are Richard Salyer, Sr., Richard Salyer, Jr., Wayne Gilley, Tanner Gilley and Homer Smith. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Heart Association. The following verse provided comfort to Dot following George’s passing, as it does to her family and friends today: “Though your smile is gone forever, and your hand we cannot touch, we still have so many memories of the one we love so much. Your memory is our keepsake from which we’ll never part. God has you in his keeping, we have you in our hearts.” --Anonymous