Dorothy Murray Roberts

Dorothy Murray Roberts was born in Memphis, TN on November 11, 1955 at the original Baptist Memorial Hospital to parents, Bob and Helen. Characteristic of middle children, “Dottie”, as she was known to friends and family, was easy-going, developed friendships wherever she went, and would literally give someone the shirt off her back if she felt they needed it more than her. Given this tendency for selflessness and compassion, it’s not surprising that Dottie would go on to graduate from St. Joseph’s Nursing School and become a neurosurgical/orthopedic nurse at Methodist Central (now Methodist University) Hospital. Not only did she graduate near the top of her class but she did so well … her final exam score was one of the highest in the state (at the time). She enjoyed helping people. However, the only thing she may have enjoyed more was animals; they were ever present. Whether it was her little dog Prissy, riding horses or feeding the birds and squirrels in the back yard, Dottie found her joy in animals.

When not fussing over her four-legged friends, Dottie was an avid watcher of movies and television shows; top of the list was anything associated with cowboys, Lassie or Andy Griffith. She was witty and had a great sense of humor; she never took anything too seriously. Her faith was simple and easy; family was paramount. And she probably spent a small fortune at Chik-Fil-A and Dominos; those were her go-to guilty pleasures.

For everything that could be said about Dottie, her most admirable quality was the profound optimism she embodied each day of her life, particularly over the last 20 years as she persevered through pain and faced down various health challenges. It’s not to suggest she didn’t have bad days; she absolutely did. But the phrase she would start each day with is likely the best testament to her character … “No matter how bad it is, it will get better …maybe not in the timeframe we want…but it will get better.”

If Dottie were with us today, she’d want to thank a few special people. First, her sisters. To Jan and Mary, Dottie would want you to know how exceptional you both were in caring for her. You did your best and it was more than enough. You nailed it. To Gloria Pegues, Sherry Swords, Terry Callaway, Ressie Franklin, and Darin Gerlach (as well as her nieces and nephews), she would want you to know how appreciative she was for everything you did along her journey … even if she didn’t always say it.

Dottie is preceded in death by her father, James Robert Murray, and mother, Helen P. Briggs. She is survived by her only child, Kip Roberts, and two sisters, Jan Callaway and Mary Smith … all of whom reside in the Memphis area. Additionally, Dottie leaves behind a niece, Stephanie Callaway, two nephews, Jason Callaway and Charlie Smith, along with several cousins and other relatives.

A memorial gathering for family and friends will be held this Sunday, August 6th from four o'clock until six o'clock in the afternoon in the South Hall at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38119.

Any memorials in Dorothy's name should be sent to the Memphis and Shelby County Humane Society.

Online condolences and directions may be found through www.memphisfuneralpoplar.com