Dorla Dean Whitehead Queen, age 84, passed away Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017. Dorla was a native of Wayne County, Tennessee and graduated from Wayne County High School as valedictorian of her class. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Florence State Teachers College in Florence, Alabama. She was married for 61 years to Robert Glendon Queen, also from Waynesboro. Upon settling in Florence, Dorla and Bob both worked at the Florence Times Tri-Cities Daily newspaper, now known as the TimesDaily. Dorla retired in 1999 as executive assistant to the publisher after 38 years with the newspaper.
Dorla was a founding member of the Shoals Beta Sigma Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha, a philanthropic service sorority. She spent countless hours volunteering and raising funds and awareness for worthy charities such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Easter Seals, and Kidney Dialysis. She enjoyed traveling and shopping with her close-knit friends as they were commonly known as the “bag ladies.” Dorla was a member of the Methodist faith. Dorla was preceded in death by her parents, Stennitt and Hazel Whitehead; sons, Robert Kent Queen and Paul Kevin Queen; and brother, Jimmy Paul Whitehead.
She is survived by her husband, Robert Glendon Queen, of Florence, Alabama, and daughter, Brady Queen-Peden and husband, David, of Killen, Alabama. Serving as pallbearers are Billy Joe Duren, Jerry Duren, Steve Duren, Rex Gobbell, and Bradley Peden.
Visitation with the family will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017, at Shackelford Funeral Directors, Waynesboro, Tennessee, with Dr. Kenneth Meredith and Rev. Bob Hargrove officiating. Services will follow at 11 a.m. in the chapel. Burial will follow in Memorial Gardens, Waynesboro, Tennessee.
The family appreciates the care and attention provided by her doctors and the nursing and support staff at Florence Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, North Alabama Cancer Center, and ECM Hospital. The family is thankful for the love and care expressed by friends who called and visited. A very special thanks to Anne Stephens, Mylene Thompson, and Diane Hamner for their love and support during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Jude Children,s Research Hospital or a favorite charity.
