Dorothy "Dotty" Bushing

Dorothy “Dotty” Bushing, age 100, passed away quietly at Blount Memorial
Hospital Wednesday, December 16, 2020. She was born June 15, 1920, in
the house which her father built in Knoxville, TN. She is preceded in death
by her husband of 64 years Arthur S. Bushing, parents Guy and Maud
Barber, step-mother Bess Barber, sisters Harriet Blizzard and Mary Ruth
Garza. She is survived by children Stuart (Jan) Bushing, Barbera Ann
(Bonnie Rose) Bushing, Kathy (Tom) Banfield, Jennifer (Albert) Hill, seven
grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, and numerous loving nieces,
nephews and cousins.

Dotty graduated as one of four valedictorians from Knoxville High
School in 1938, then went on to graduate from Maryville College in 1942,
with a major in Bible and Religious Education and minor in Music. While at
MC she met the love of her life, Arthur Bushing (MC class of 1943). They
married in 1944, before Art was sent to Europe with the Army in World War II.

Music and faith filled her soul as she sang in multiple choirs, taught
piano for over 30 years, composed, and served in various organizations,
including president of Maryville Music Club and various local and national
roles with Delta Omicron Music Fraternity. She was a charter member of
Highland Presbyterian Church and remained active as long as she could in
the church choir, Happy Highlanders and women’s Circle. She also
retained close ties to Maryville College as an active alumna, proud and
supportive “faculty wife” as Art taught English there for almost 50 years,
mentor, and eager volunteer at Kin Takahashi Week for many years. Other
loves and hobbies included the Great Smoky Mountains, hiking, sewing,
camping, traveling, and tracing family roots back to First Families of
Tennessee and beyond.

Her beautiful songs, smile and positive attitude will be greatly missed. She was a beacon of heavenly light and hope here on earth. The family is very grateful for the love and care she received from the nurses and staff at Shannondale of Maryville. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Maryville College, the Dorothy Barber Bushing Endowed Fund at Maryville College, Highland Presbyterian Church, or Friends of the Smokies.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.