Surry County-Newport News City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Pulley, Dorothy M., 2007 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ DOROTHY MAE PULLEY NEWPORT NEWS - Dorothy Mae Pulley, 89, of Newport News, Va., died Friday, Feb. 23, 2007. She was a native of Dendron, Va., and moved to Newport News in 1926. She graduated from Newport News High School in 1934 and was a member of Orcutt Baptist Church, where she worked as the church secretary for Dr. Herman Stevens. Dorothy was then called to be the first paid secretary of First Baptist Church in Athens, Tenn. After three years in Athens, she was called to the University Baptist Church of Abilene, Texas, as educational secretary and later children’s worker. While working in Abilene, Dorothy started night classes at Hardin-Simmons University. In 1954, while still a student, she was employed as a secretary to two of the administrative vice presidents, a position she had until graduation with magna cum laude honors in 1957 with a degree in English. Yet another move awaited Dorothy as she enrolled at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas, in August 1957. Dorothy was a member of Travis Avenue Baptist Church while in Fort Worth. After enrolling in classes at Southwestern, she worked in the seminary’s Print Shop and later in the library and then graduated with a Master’s Degree in Religious Education from Southwestern. In 1959 she was asked to work as secretary and alter as administrative assistant for Dean of School of Religious Education. Dorothy retired from Southwestern in 1988 after 31 years and lived in Fort Worth moving back to Newport News in 1996. Survivors include her very special sister who took care of her for the past 10 years in the nursing home, Elizabeth P. Reed and her husband, Verlin R. Reed, of Newport News; one niece, Grace E. Robinson and her husband, Tim, of Yorktown; two nephews, Wayne R. Reed and his wife, Nancy, and Robert O. Reed, both of Newport News; many special cousins; and two very special great- nephews, Scott M. McNair and Matthew R. Robinson of Yorktown. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26, at Peninsula Memorial Park with Dr. Reginald Warren and the Rev. Kenneth Trinkle officiating. Donations may be made to Orcutt Baptist Church, Building Fund, 653 Baxter Lane, Newport News, VA 23602. The family would like to thank James River Convalescent Center for their care and compassion over the years. Arrangements by W.J. Smith & Son Funeral Home. Dorothy Mae PULLEY, of Newport News, formerly of Fort Worth, TX, retired church & seminary secretary, b. 28 Nov 1917, Dendron, d. 23 Feb 2007, interred in Peninsula Memorial Park, Newport News, 26 Feb 2007, "The Daily Press" (Newport News, VA), Feb. 25, 2007; posted with Find a Grave Mem. #24793024 Her sister is also buried in Peninsula Memorial Park. Their parents, George Robert & "Sallie" Sarah Elizabeth (PRESSON) PULLEY, were buried in Greenlawn Cemetery, Newport News. Their father's D.Cert. 1956-371 (Newport News #30) mistakenly gives his mother's maiden name as Carrie MUNFORD. Carrie's sisters "Sally" & Emily BRITT m. brothers Wells & Matthew MUNFORD. His parents, George Robert & "Carrie" Caroline Virginia (BRITT) PULLEY, are buried in Central Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. Isle of Wight County Historical Society {IWCHS} Grave Site Survey Task Force {GSSTF} report #56: http://www.iwchs.com/Cemetery-Reports.html Carrie's obits ("Daily Press," July 9, & "Smithfield Times," July 16, 1931) are posted at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/isleofwight/obits/p400c3ob.txt Her maternal grandparents, Benjamin Franklin & "Bettie" Sarah Elizabeth (PRESSON) PULLEY, are also buried at Central Hill. Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Mrs. Bruce Saunders (bs4403@verizon.net), and re-formatted by File Manager Matt Harris. file at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/surry/obits/p400d3ob.txt