Dorothy Ann Wallace was born in Knox County on June 27, 1937, to Homer Houston Wallace and Bessie May Hargis Wallace. She was the youngest of four children.

Dot was raised at the family home on Carden Road in Clinton. With her older siblings Clara, Homer Junior, and William, she enjoyed playing in the woods on the ridge behind their house and helping with her family's big garden and farm animals. She walked to school across the old river bridge.

Dot went on to graduate from Carson Newman University. She taught at Clinton Senior High School for one year. She later became the first female engineer in the Numerical Control Program at Y-12 for Union Carbide in Oak Ridge. Over her many years at the plant, her work evolved from mainframe card decks to computerized machine tool design. Unfortunately, Dot was exposed to toxins in the workplace, which later affected her health.

Dot was introduced to her late husband Billy James Howell (Bill) through mutual friends at the plant. They fell deeply in love, and their marriage lasted for 41 years, until Bill's death in 2010. For many of those years, Bill and Dot lived in the Carden Road home with Dot's parents Homer and Bessie Wallace. Together they kept gardens and raised bountiful food, which they often shared with Y-12 coworkers and many other friends.

Dot and Bill provided years of loving care for Dot's parents. After their death, Dot and Bill moved to Mariner Point and gained many new friends there. Dot later cared for her husband as he battled mesothelioma. She loved her cruise to Alaska with Bill so much that after his passing, she cruised to more destinations, including one trip around the world.

Throughout her life, Dot was devoted to her faith and the First Baptist Church of Clinton. She was also an active participant in the Timely Topics group (which her grandmother had helped found in 1934). Dot served as president several times. She treasured her many close friendships in Clinton and her connections with family members across the country. She took daily joy in her flowers, plants, birds, and her pets, including her last dog, Zoe.

Dot is predeceased by her parents, her husband, and by her sister Clara Wallace McClure, brothers, Homer Houston Wallace Jr., and William James Wallace; by her parents, and by her grandparents, James Henry Wallace and Clara Leinart Wallace, and William Jesse Hargis and Carolina Keck Hargis.

Dot leaves behind her sister-in-law Julie Wehner Wallace in Ohio and four far-flung but loving nieces: Wendy McClure of Washington State, Laura McClure of New York State, Nora Wallace of Kansas, and Lisa Wallace of Ohio. She will be deeply missed by many friends and family members.

Holley Gamble Funeral Home is proud to be serving the Howell family. www.holleygamble.com.