Dorothy Lola Stanfield Ellison, age 100 formerly of Sumiton, Alabama died Friday December 9, 2016 at Mitchell-Hollingsworth Nursing Home in Florence, Alabama. She was born October 5, 1916 in Clay County, Alabama. She was the daughter of William Stead Stanfield and Carrie Belle (Dunseith) Standfield. She was a member of the Sumiton United Methodist Church, where she served in many capacities for nearly seven decades. She was a graduate from Judson College and held a Master’s Degree from the University of Alabama. She taught at Dora High School for thirty years before she retired in 1977, instilling a love of science in many students. She was named “Alabama Teacher of the Year” in 1959. In the same year, she was honored by McCall’s Magazine as one of the nation’s top ten teachers.
An avid reader, Mrs. Ellison served on the Alabama Library Services Board. She chaired the Carl Elliott Regional Library Board and the Sumiton Public Library Board for many years. For her service to the Sumiton Public Library and her community, the town of Sumiton proclaimed January 16, 2011 “Dorothy Ellison Day”
Funeral service will be held Tuesday December 13, 2016 at 2:00 pm in the New Horizon Memorial Chapel in Dora, Alabama. Rev. Tom Salter and Rev. Mark Adams will officiate. Burial will follow at Morgan Cemetery. Family will receive friends for visitation from 12:30 pm until 2:00 pm.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Ira Ellison and son, James M. Ellison.
She is survived by her son, Dr. Curtis (Celia) Ellison of Oxford, Ohio; daughters, Anne (Lowry) Hobbs of Mooresville, North Carolina; Jeanne (Dean) Baughman of Florence, Alabama; daughter-in-law, Marguerite (James) Ellison; eleven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Sumiton United Methodist Church or the Sumiton Public Library.
New Horizon Memorial Funeral Home directing, 205-648-2323.
