Dorothy C. LaRue

Dorothy C. LaRue, 96, formerly of Dyersburg, Tennessee, died Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at her residence in Morristown, Tennessee. She was born on August 8, 1929, in Bogota, Tennessee, and was the oldest daughter of the late L.C. Castleman and the late Golda (Maupin) Castleman. Mrs. LaRue was married to the late Ernest LaRue for 47 years. She worked for South Central Bell and retired after 33 years of service. 

Her love for the Lord was evident in her life every day. She was a faithful member of the Phillips Street Church of Christ until she moved to Morristown where she attended the Morristown Church of Christ. She was known as the “hat lady”, as she nearly always wore a hat when leaving the house, especially for church. 

Mrs. LaRue was also the family historian. She had a remarkable memory and could recite names and dates for all kinds of events on both sides of the family. The family was always amazed by her memory of so many details. 

She had a fierce love for her entire family. She would always help plan and organize family reunions. She wanted the family to stay connected and share the love that she felt for each and every one. Although she had no children of her own, she treated her niece and nephew like they were her own and their children were like her grandchildren. Her great nieces and great nephews in particular all have wonderful memories of bed time stories, complete with sound effects. The family also relished and shared many laughs over her special vocabulary. 

Mrs. LaRue was generous with her money, her time, and her talents. She was care- giver for both of her in-laws, her parents and husband as well as many who were not related. She had kindness for everyone. 

She was also an adventurous woman who loved to travel. She even drove an 18- wheeler on her 92nd birthday. She said it was the thrill of a lifetime. 

Graveside services for Mrs. LaRue will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, October 3, 2025, at Fairview Cemetery in Dyersburg, Tennessee.  Family and friends are asked to gather at the cemetery.  Visitation for Mrs. LaRue will be held from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at Johnson-Williams Funeral Home in Newbern, Tennessee

She leaves her one and only sister, Clarita (Castleman) McKee of Morristown, formerly of Jackson, Tennessee, her niece Sandra (McKee) Chamberlain and husband Richard Chamberlain of Eidson, Tennessee; nephew Mark McKee and wife Nancy, of New Alexandria, Pennsylvania; two great-nieces, Heather McNeil of Searcy, Arkansas, and Serena McKee of Navaro, Florida as well as two great nephews, Joseph Chamberlain of Lexington, South Carolina and Chad McKee of Murrysville, Pennsylvania. 

She was pre-deceased by her husband, both parents and great niece Amy (Chamberlain) Delcour of Dexter, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers memorial can be directed to Phillip Street Church of Christ (912 Phillips Street, Dyersburg, Tennessee 38024).

Online condolences may be made to the family at johnsonwilliamsfuneralhome.com.  Johnson-Williams Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Dorothy C. LaRue.  

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