Dorothy Gwin Harpole Gilliland , August 11, 1919 — December 30, 2018

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service for Dorothy Gwin Harpole Gilliland, 99, of Coldwater, MS, will be held at Coldwater United Methodist Church, Coldwater, MS, at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2019. Visitation will be held at the church prior to the service at 1:00 pm. She passed away on Sunday, December 30, 2018, at Delta Regional Medical Center in Greenville, MS.

Services are under the direction of Pate-Jones Funeral Home in Senatobia, MS. Dorothy was known as “Dottie Gwin” to her family, “Dot” to her friends, and “Mama Dot” to her grandchildren and caregivers. She was born in Eupora, MS on August 11, 1919, as the fourth of five daughters to Lee Wesley and Minnie Mae Gwin Harpole.

She attended Eupora High School and graduated from Blue Mountain College where she belonged to the Modenian organization. After college, she moved to Senatobia, MS, to teach school and she met John Franklin Gilliland, IV, known as “Booster”. They were married in 1942 and lived in Coldwater until his death in 2000.

Dot then moved to Greenville, MS to be near her oldest daughter. Besides being a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Dot was active in her church and community. She served as Minister of Music for 52 years at Coldwater United Methodist Church.

Dot was a member of Coldwater Wednesday Club and even painted the “Welcome to Coldwater” signs. She loved to cook, sew, and especially work in her yard. Her flower gardens were amazing and she created pictures and dried flower arrangements to preserve the enjoyment of nature.

Her signature on most arrangements was a butterfly. Dot faithfully loved her Lord, her family, and her life and she had a sweet spirit and a smile that touched everyone she met. Survivors include her two daughters Leesa Gwin Cumbaa (Mrs. Dean) of Leland, MS and Mary John Johnson of Ridgeland, MS, and her five grandchildren Elizabeth Gwin Koestler of Biloxi, MS, William Blair Johnson, Jr (Kellie) of Jackson, MS, Leesa Marie Koestler Harris (Mrs. Jackson) of Atlanta, GA, Mary Blair Johnson McCreary (Mrs. Ben) of Nashville, TN, and Robert Alan Koestler, Jr (Carlile) of Greenville, MS.

She is preceded in death by her husband John Franklin Gilliland, IV and her four sisters Minnie Lee Pryor (Mrs. Edward), Inez Curry Crocker (Mrs. Otis), Mae Alice Logan (Mrs. Graydon), and Anne Wall Dayton (Mrs. Clint). In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Coldwater United Methodist Church for either the Music Department or the Booster Fund (P.O.Box 428, Coldwater, MS 38618).

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